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How teachers can best use TED Talks in class, from the perspective of a student

What happens when a teacher mixes Madame Bovary and a TED Talk? Good things, actually. Photo: iStockphoto

My high school English class had just finished reading Madame Bovary , and we were all confused. (For those of you who have not read it, please skip to paragraph two. Spoiler alert!) Emma Bovary, a listless housewife in search of the passionate love she’s read about in books, has many sordid affairs, falls deeply into debt and kills herself by swallowing arsenic, and her ever-faithful and terribly dull husband Charles dies a while later of a broken heart, and their daughter, upon finding her father dead, is sent to work in a cotton mill. We were all baffled and upset by the end of this intense, complicated novel. When we arrived in class the next day, our teacher asked us the question: “What can we learn about real love from Madame Bovary ?” and no one knew what to say.

That night for homework, our only assignment was to watch a TED Talk: “ Why we love, why we cheat ” by anthropologist Helen Fisher. In the talk, Fisher explained her work: “My colleagues and I took 32 people who were madly in love and put them into a functional MRI brain scanner.” I knew that Helen Fisher was taking a very different approach to understanding love from Gustave Flaubert. So why was I reading Flaubert and watching her talk, one after the other?

I didn’t realize what my teacher was doing until class discussion the next day. We shuffled in, pulled our desks into a circle, took our copies of Madame Bovary out of our bags and looked around at each other.

“So,” my teacher said, “if Gustave Flaubert and Helen Fisher were having a conversation about love, what would they say to one another? What would you say to them?”

There was a pause, and then: “I mean, the thing about love being a drug, like cocaine, seems like Emma felt love like that?”

“But then what about Charles? Was he in love?”

“Well he wasn’t intense, and he wasn’t possessive. Maybe he wasn’t in love?”

“He died for love.”

“Did he die for love or for heartbreak?”

“What’s the difference?”

The discussion continued, back and forth.

What my English teacher did that day showed me the value of TED Talks in the classroom: school is all about ideas, and TED can help teachers bring ideas into conversation and debate. TED Talks aren’t like Wikipedia articles—yes, they contain information, but at their best, they actually spark a conversation. They can be used to bring diverse voices, questions, and even conflict into classroom discussions—as Helen Fisher’s did for my English class. Physics classes can start to think about just how non-linear physics really is with Boaz Almog’s demonstration of quantum superconductors , history classes can think about Yoruba Richen’s talk and wonder about how rights movements work, students can even question the school system they are a part of with Ken Robinson’s talk on how schools creativity.

I graduated from high school in May. (I’ve spent the summer before college interning with the lovely editorial department at TED.) Throughout my high school career, I’ve seen teachers use TED Talks often—sometimes very well, and sometimes in ways I didn’t find as effective. I recently got in touch with a former teacher from my school, Suzanne Fogarty (now the director of the Lincoln School in Providence, Rhode Island), who showed Chimamanda Adichie’s TED Talk, “ The danger of a single story ,” in an assembly. Afterward, Adichie’s talk popped up in lectures, lunchtime discussions, even in the hallways between classes. Her ideas had entered the vocabulary of the school. Everyone was thinking about the “single story.”

I wanted to find out why Ms. Fogarty chose to use TED in her curriculum. When I asked, she responded, “TED Talks make us pause and listen to the percolation of ideas—art, engineering, technology, the humanities, spoken word and more.”

Her comment clarified something for me. The best use of TED Talks in the classroom really do take advantage of that “percolation of ideas.” Talks work best when teachers use them to give perspective and to generate discussion around difficult topics.

But how exactly do you do this? Stephanie Lo, Director of TED-Ed Programs, advises teachers to use TED videos as a way to get students thinking. She recommends that teachers check out Ed.TED.com , which is packed full of short, animated lessons created specifically for students. (When searching, teachers can filter by student age—there are talks for elementary school students , middle school students , high school students and college students .) And she recommends that, whether they’re using a lesson or a talk, teachers prepare discussion questions to get students thinking before they get to class.

Fogarty echoes the sentiment. “I like having some essential questions to accompany the talk,” she told me, “or asking students to research TED Talks that carry meaning for their generation.”

These conversations helped me see what can really happen when TED Talks are brought into the classroom. Students can better grasp topics they might not fully understand at first glance, think critically about how they think about the world, and discuss other big ideas alongside their own. Gustave Flaubert can have a conversation with Helen Fisher about the meaning of love. And that is pretty cool.

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45 TED Talks That Will Intrigue, Encourage, and Inspire Your Students

Amazing speakers on fascinating topics.

By now, you probably know about TED , a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing important ideas through brief, impactful talks. TED Talks can be an amazing classroom resource that sparks meaningful conversations. (Their TED-Ed videos are especially valuable, since they include complete lesson plans for teachers.) We’ve rounded up some of our favorite TED Talks students will really enjoy. You’ll find options here for every age and interest.

STEM TED Talks for Students

History and culture ted talks for students, inspirational ted talks for students.

These videos include Ted Talks students can learn from, in ways that will truly engage them. See hands-on science in action, and explore topics in a way kids can easily understand.

Emma Bryce: What really happens to the plastic you throw away? (3:53)

Plastic bottles are everywhere these days. In this video, you’ll follow the life cycles of three different bottles. Each journey teaches us something about how plastics affect the environment.

Angela Koine Flynn: The science of skin color  (4:39)

Why do some people tan (or burn) so fast while others can sit in the sun for hours? How did our skin develop so many different hues to begin with? Find out, then follow up with The Beauty of Human Skin in Every Color !

Anita Collins: How playing an instrument benefits your brain  (4:30)

When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout.

Myriam Sidibe: The simple power of hand-washing (11:32)

This talk begins with some sobering statistics: 6.6 million children worldwide don’t make it to their fifth birthday. But Myriam Sidibe reveals the simplest of solutions that may reverse the trends—a bar of soap.

Beau Lotto and Amy O’Toole: Science is for everyone, kids included (15:10)

Neuroscientist Beau Lotto shares the parallels between science and play with the help of 25 elementary-age children.

Eva-Maria Geigl: The history of the world according to cats (4:21)

Long ago, wild cats were fierce hunters. Over the centuries, they’ve become the house pets we now know and love. Learn how our furry friends came to be in this fun video.

Kelli Sandman-Hurley: What is dyslexia? (4:20)

There’s probably at least one student in your classroom with dyslexia. Learn how it affects learning and why we should celebrate neurodiversity.

Arthur Benjamin: Mathemagic (15:02)

Art Benjamin combines his two loves, math and magic! Watch him perform three-digit multiplication in his head faster than his helpers using a calculator.

AnnMarie Thomas: Hands-on science with squishy circuits (3:52)

Kids will love learning how to create circuits using two different kinds of homemade play dough. Don’t be surprised when they want to try it for themselves.

Jack Andraka: A promising test for pancreatic cancer … from a teenager (10:36)

Jack developed an inexpensive, effective, and non-invasive test for pancreatic cancer. Oh, and he did it all before his 16th birthday!

Claire Simeone: The lovable (and lethal) sea lion (4:37)

Go for a swim with one of the ocean’s coolest creatures, the sea lion. They can hunt for up to 30 hours at a time and reach speeds of 18 mph. Amazing!

Thomas Suarez: 12-year-old app developer (4:24)

“Where do you go to find out how to make an app?” Thomas was 12 when he asked this question. He taught himself to build apps and wants to inspire other kids to do the same.

Daphne Bavelier: Your brain on video games (17:45)

Kids are often told video games are “bad” for them. Brain scientist Daphne Bavelier challenges that notion. She believes that playing video games in “reasonable doses” can actually have lots of positive effects on our brain. Bavelier shares how she and other scientists are using their research to help others.

William Kamkwamba: How I built a windmill (3:59)

At age 14, a Malawian boy named William Kamkwamba sought a way to help his village combat famine. Ultimately, he built a wind turbine entirely out of spare parts and scrapyard materials. Next, learn how it changed his life in How I Harnessed the Wind .

Terry Moore: How to tie your shoes (2:43)

Terry Moore believes that most of us are tying our shoes incorrectly. Surprisingly enough, he’s probably right. In this informative TED Talk, Moore demonstrates how to tie a stronger knot that won’t let us down. As Moore notes, sometimes small advantages can yield big results.

Joe Smith: How to use a paper towel (4:15)

Joe Smith is on a mission to save paper by teaching us the correct way to use a paper towel. Spoiler alert: We’re doing it wrong and creating a lot of waste in the process.

John Green: The nerd’s guide to learning everything online (18:01)

John Green talks about the importance of the internet and why it makes learning more awesome. He demonstrates how platforms like YouTube can help build engaging communities of learning and discovery.

Explore topics from history and the arts and make connections with people around the world.

Soraya Field Fiorio: Who was the world’s first author? (4:55)

Would you have guessed that the world’s first known author was a woman? Find out about her life and writings, dating back 4,300 years.

Iseult Gillespie: How to see more and care less: The art of Georgia O’Keeffe (5:00)

Artist Georgia O’Keeffe was inspired by the shapes and rhythms of nature. Her unique way of looking at the world gave rise to American Modernism.

Brian A. Pavlac: Ugly History: Witch Hunts (5:25)

For much of human history, people believed witches were real—and evil. They hunted the suspected witches, put them on “trial,” and tortured them, often to death. Take a closer look at this difficult chapter of our past and how it came to be.

Diane J. Rayor: Ancient Greece’s greatest popstar (5:25)

Kids who love Beyoncé or Adele will love learning about Sappho, one of ancient Greece’s most famous poets. She coined the word “bittersweet” to describe the ups and downs of romance. Her writings made her a superstar of her day!

Kayla Wolf: Why every world map is wrong (4:57)

It’s simply impossible to make a map of the spherical world that’s accurate. So why do we keep using them? And how can we change them to shift our point of view? Find out in this intriguing video.

Ann-Helén Bay: Why is it so hard to escape poverty? (4:45)

Many people believe that if you work hard enough, you’ll automatically succeed. But poverty is a trap that frequently pulls people back down, no matter how hard they try. Why should that be, and how can we overcome it?

Danielle Feinberg: The magic ingredient that brings Pixar movies to life (11:55)

Go behind the scenes with Danielle Feinberg, Pixar’s director of photography. See what happens when science and art collide to create Pixar’s incredible three-dimensional worlds.

Kevin Allocca: Why videos go viral (7:04)

Only a tiny percentage of online videos go viral. But when they do, they become part of a cultural phenomenon that fascinates and mystifies us. Kevin Allocca shares the secret ingredients that contribute to a video’s viral success.

Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English (4:16)

In this powerful spoken-word performance, Lyiscott challenges the standard notion of what it means to be “articulate” in today’s society. She shares her experience navigating three distinct English dialects at home, at school, and with friends.

Doug Levinson: What gives a dollar bill its value? (3:26)

Ever wonder how inflation works or what determines the value of a buck? Join the workers of the Federal Reserve and learn how it all works.

The LXD: In the Internet age, dance evolves (17:13)

The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers) believes that dance can have a transformative effect on the world. Their stunning street dance performance makes for a TED Talk video students will want to watch again and again. Fans of Glee and So You Think You Can Dance may see some familiar faces.

Mac Barnett: Why a good book is a secret door (16:51)

Everyone needs a little whimsy in their lives. Children’s writer Mac Barnett shares the power of imagination in this playful talk. He introduces us to Nico, an imaginative child who brings Barnett’s message to life.

Tavi Gevinson: A teen just trying to figure it out (7:14)

Tavi Gevinson noticed that women, particularly young girls, were often misrepresented in popular media. In response, she created a web magazine where teenagers can share stories, ask questions, and “figure it out” together.

Encourage kids to ask more questions and seek out the best the world has to offer with these TED Talks.

Matthew Winkler: What makes a hero? (4:30)

What trials unite Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and more of literature’s most interesting heroes? And what do ordinary people have in common with these literary heroes?

Manoush Zomorodi: How boredom can lead to your most brilliant ideas (16:04)

Believe it or not, boredom can actually result in your most creative accomplishments. Zomorodi explains that when your body is on autopilot, your brain gets busy!

Clint Smith: The danger of silence (4:09)

“Read critically. Write consciously. Speak clearly. Tell your truth.” Teacher Clint Smith explains the relationship between silence and discrimination.

Derek Sivers: How to start a movement (2:53)

How do movements gain traction? According to Derek Sivers, it’s different than you might think. In less than three minutes, Sivers takes us step-by-step through a movement forming in real time. He shares the lessons we can learn from those who have the courage to follow.

Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: The power of passion and perseverance (5:54)

Angela Lee Duckworth is a public school teacher turned psychologist. Her research indicates success and IQ are not as interconnected as many might think. In this motivational talk, she reinforces the importance of building grit in ourselves and our students.

George Takei: Why I love a country that once betrayed me (15:45)

Explore patriotism and social justice with this engaging talk by actor and activist George Takei. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, young George and his family were forcibly relocated to a Japanese American internment camp. He shares how his father helped him reconcile this experience with the core ideal of American democracy.

Christian Picciolini: My descent into America’s neo-Nazi movement—and how I got out (20:10)

In this courageous talk, Christian Picciolini shares his personal journey of overcoming prejudice and hate. A former neo-Nazi, Picciolini now dedicates his time to helping others combat violent extremism in their own lives. He notes that these movements often target the young, vulnerable, and marginalized—like he once was. (Mature content and drug references.)

Tim Urban: Inside the mind of a master procrastinator (13:55)

Procrastinators, unite! In this relatable TED Talk, Tim Urban offers hilarious insight into the mind of a procrastinator. Kids will find the “instant gratification monkey” both funny and relatable.

Susan Cain: The power of introverts (18:48)

Author Susan Cain argues for the importance of introverts in a world that seems to favor the opposite. She explains why solitude matters, as well as how it contributes to creativity and leadership.

Shane Koyczan: To This Day … for the bullied and beautiful (11:47)

In this powerful video, Koyczan shares his viral spoken-word poem about bullying and survival. This beautiful talk is a must-see for anyone who has ever felt life’s uncertainty, loneliness, or frustration. (Mature content and language.)

Joachim de Posada: Don’t eat the marshmallow! (5:46)

Joachim de Posada explains the value of self-discipline, demonstrated by a famous experiment. Students will laugh at little ones trying hard not to eat a marshmallow. But there’s a lot to learn here too.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka: Why lunch ladies are heroes (5:12)

Children’s author Jarrett J. Krosoczka illustrates the power of a simple thank-you in this talk. He encourages us to celebrate our cafeteria staff and the important work they do throughout the year.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story (18:33)

Stories matter. In this eye-opening talk, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains how power shapes the stories we hear and tell others. She warns against the danger of a single story. They can be incomplete and even offer harmful understandings of others based on a single narrative or experience. Adichie raises important questions that can encourage students to explore concepts of identity and perspective.

Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership (6:01)

In this inspiring talk, Drew Dudley explains how small acts of kindness can transform the lives of others. He believes leadership isn’t about changing the world but about changing each other’s understanding of the world.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language may shape who you are (20:46)

Cuddy explains how our body language shapes how others see us—and how we see ourselves. Learn how “power posing” can help us feel more confident.

What are your favorite TED Talks students will want to watch? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out 12 must-see ted talks for teachers ..

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Eight TED Talks College Students Should Really Watch

If you need a dose of inspiration or some solid advice, these are the videos for you.

To say that college can be difficult and overwhelming would be an understatement. We’ve all got way too much stress, whether it’s over homework, your social life, your future career or any one of a thousand different obstacles college students can face. But you’re not alone in this. In fact, some experts from TED Talks have found ways to deal with these sorts of quintessential college problems, and they have lots of advice for the wayward student .

For the Anxious and Stressed

If you’re having trouble managing your anxious and stressed brain and you feel like it’s all too much to handle, you should watch “ All it takes is 10 mindful minutes ” by Andy Puddicombe.

Puddicome’s talk is especially relevant to the constantly and consistently busy college student. He asks a difficult question to answer: “When did you last take any time to do nothing?” I certainly can’t remember, and you all probably can’t either. And that’s not good for your brain. Your brain needs maintenance and care just like your car, your hair, your friends and everything else. So Puddicombe explains that all it takes is 10 minutes every day of doing absolutely nothing to take care of your brain and stop being so anxious and burnt out all the time. Really, 10 minutes is not a lot to ask for the organ we ask so much of.

Another TED talk for the perpetually under pressure is Sian Leah Beilock’s “ Why we choke under pressure – and how to avoid it .” Any students in the middle of exams, varsity athletes at big games or seniors in job interviews will relate to Beilock’s stories of choking under pressure. The main reason why we, as flawed human beings, fail to perform at our best while stressed is that our worries cause us to pay too much attention to our actions — actions that are best left on autopilot.

She gives some excellent advice to deal with this: Practice under the same conditions that you have to perform in. For test-takers, practice those complicated math problems under a time constraint. Rehearse a big speech in front of others. Do what it takes to get used to the pressure so that you don’t choke when all eyes are on you. Keep this in mind when preparing for your next big stress-filled event, and you’ll nail it.

If practicing for pressure isn’t enough, try taking a look at this TED talk by Kelly McGonigal, “ How to make stress your friend .” McGonigal, a health psychologist, shares this fascinating study that found a correlation between believing that stress is harmful to your health and an increased risk of dying. It turns out that viewing your response to stress — faster heartbeats, sweating, rapid breathing — is your body preparing for a challenge and getting ready to work. This idea about stress being helpful actually makes you more confident and less anxious. So, test-takers, know that your stress can help you ace that exam — if you let it.

For the Directionless and Unsure

Being a college student means deciding what path you want to take and what career you want to choose. This decision, while it comes easily and naturally to some, can be confusing and time-consuming to others. If you feel that way, you should definitely watch Emilie Wapnick’s TED talk, “ Why some of us don’t have one true calling .” Wapnick talks about how we shouldn’t just commit ourselves to one career because that’s what you’re supposed to do. If you have multiple, fleeting yet intense interests, embrace that and explore your curiosity. It’ll make you happier and more fulfilled, and having a wide range of skills certainly won’t hurt you career-wise.

Another important TED talk for the career-confused among us is “ How to find work you love ” by Scott Dinsmore. Around 80% of people don’t enjoy their work, and, for college students, now is the right time to try to become part of the 20% who do. The problem is that so many people are just doing the work they do because they’re supposed to and because someone told them to. In keeping with the message from Wapnick’s talk, Dinsmore says to ask yourself what matters to you and what impact you can make, and then do that. And by discovering what inspires you and what works for you, you can motivate others to do the same instead of monotonously living life as they’re supposed to.

There’s something else you need, though, if you want to take your ambition and make it a reality. Angela Lee Duckworth explains it perfectly in her talk “ Grit: the power of passion and perseverance .” Your education, as it turns out, is not based solely on your IQ or your standardized test scores. Instead, the most important piece of the equation in getting where you want to go in life is hard work and perseverance. Those who have grit and are willing to work hard to achieve long-term goals are the ones who were successful in life, not those who are super smart or very socially adept. So, college students, don’t give up when it gets hard, because the end results will be worth it.

For the Passionate But Insecure

For a lot of college students, it’s hard to figure out how to actually make a difference and do something with all their passion and energy. Natalie Warne talks about this in “ Being young and making an impact .” Warne talks about the “Anonymous Extraordinaries,” people who work not for recognition or fame, but because they believe in what they’re doing and want to make a difference in their own lives and others. And it’s not about what you’re doing, it’s about having passion for what you’re doing. Warne tells an incredible story in her TED talk , but the point she really drives home is that caring about fame and popularity and what other people think about you is not what is going to change the world or fulfill you. It’s finding what you love and chasing after it.

Keeping that in mind, the question is how to go about chasing those dreams? Julian Treasure helps answer this question in his TED talk “ How to speak so that people want to listen .” Treasure gives a lot of helpful tips for speaking meaningfully, including his “seven deadly sins of speaking.” He warns against gossip, judging, negativity and complaining, to name a few. We all do this, and it makes it really hard for others to listen and to have a thoughtful conversation. There’s also a lot we have to do if we want to speak powerfully and actually make a difference. We have to be honest, we have to be authentic, we have to have integrity and be trustworthy, and we have to wish people well. If you’re wishing someone well, it’s impossible to judge them and gossip about them. He also shares a lot of valuable advice about how to say these things, not just what to say. So, watch this TED talk, public speakers and job interviewees, if you want to say meaningful words in an impactful way.

For Everyone

Honestly, whether you need a pep talk or just something interesting to watch, there are so many TED talks that can do that and more. These experts from around the world have definitely got ideas worth spreading, and not just for college students. So go take a look at these talks or the others on their website . It’s worth your time, I promise.

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Charlotte Susser, University of Chicago

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18 Best TED Talks for Team Building

By: Grace He | Updated: December 14, 2022

You’ve found our list of the top TED talks for team building .

TED talks for team building are informative presentations that explore various aspects of team dynamics. These presentations feature thought leaders and business authorities sharing their expertise. By sharing online videos of past TED talks, you can introduce your team members to valuable ideas that make their work experience more meaningful. Examples of TED talks for team building are Amy Edmondson’s How to Turn a Group of Strangers into a Team, Patrick Lencioni’s Are You an Ideal Team Player, and Robin Hooker’s A Makerspace for Everyone. ”

You can present TED talks for team building as virtual team building activities and incorporate them into team building activities for small groups . These videos also provide your teams with online access to enlightening keynote speakers .

This list includes

• TED talks about building high performing teams
• TED talks about effective team communication
• TED talks about team management
• team TED talks
• funny TED talks about teamwork

List of the best TED talks for team building

Whether you are hoping to learn more about how to help your team succeed or wondering how your team building skills measure up, these TED talks will provide insight to assist.

1. How to Turn a Group of Strangers into a Team by Amy Edmondson

Amy Edmondson provides an intriguing take for leaders seeking TED talks about building high performing teams. Her studies have tracked instances where team creation happens quickly for the sake of resolving emergencies. In these moments, strangers become a functioning team quickly out of necessity. Edmondson uses the 2010 mine collapse in Chile that trapped more than 30 miners half a mile underground as an example. She explains how learning by experimentation and willingness to take risks help forge a team when time is of the essence.

Watch How to Turn a Group of Strangers Into a Team .

2. Teamwork Reimagined by Kevin Cahill

Not all teamwork adheres to the same set of standards. With Teamwork Reimagined, Kevin Cahill explains how thinking in terms of “we” instead of “me” can add value to a group and multiply the benefits of team culture. Collaboration possibilities are a driving factor in Cahill’s vision of a new type of team, one where community is a defining element. Cahill shares anecdotes and his experiences with various groups to illustrate the need to identify your organization’s objective and develop it as a group.

Watch Teamwork Reimagined .

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3. Build a Tower, Build a Team by Tom Wujec

With a simple team exercise that uses three household objects, Tom Wujec demonstrates the dynamics of building an effective team. The objective of the exercise is to create the tallest tower using spaghetti, marshmallows, string, and tape. Wujec has conducted workshops that feature this exercise, learning that when posed to teams in real life, the groups who end up winning the challenge are not always the groups you would expect. That group, surprisingly, is kindergarteners! This video gives a lighthearted look at how teams can defy expectations with a simple shift in thinking.

Watch Build a Tower, Build a Team .

4. Are You an Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni

Communicating clear standards for what qualities a successful team player can help your workers achieve new heights of teamwork. Patrick Lencioni is an author who has written about team dynamics in business and the workplace. In this TED talk, Lencioni leads an enlightening session covering the importance of critical aspects that make a worker a valuable team member. According to his video, qualities such as humility, a sense of personal ambition, and genuine emotional intelligence are the most useful characteristics for a team member to possess. Lencioni explains why these attributes matter so much as he shares how he came to his conclusions.

Watch Are You an Ideal Team Player .

5. How Diversity Makes Teams More Innovative by Rocio Lorenzo

Having an array of backgrounds and viewpoints represented can turn your humble crew into a power team. Rocio Lorenzo explores how diversity can provide innovation when assembling a team. Lorenzo led a group that studied more than 150 teams to determine whether intentional diversity positively impacts the organization. In her TED talk, Lorenzo shares her findings that having a diverse team provides creativity and innovation that contributes positively to a company’s success, defying the expectations of some of her skeptical team members.

Watch How Diversity Makes Teams More Innovative .

6. First Step to Collaboration? Don’t Be So Defensive! by Jim Tamm

TED talks about effective team communication can help your employees discover a more meaningful way to get their ideas across. Former attorney and judge Jimm Tamm discusses the need for individuals to drop their defensiveness to create a collaborative atmosphere. When team members can sidestep conflict before it begins, the whole group has a better chance of successfully achieving their goals. Tamm explores the idea that star performers can suppress the abilities of their teammates, defining cooperative environments as green zones and competitive environments as red zones. His observations provide strategies to help workers recognize and reroute their defensive behaviors to maintain a more agreeable state of mind.

Watch First Step to Collaboration? Don’t Be So Defensive!

7. Play This Word Game to Come Up With Original Ideas by Shimpei Takahashi

You can find funny TED talks about teamwork that take a more playful approach to the topic, like the one given by toy developer Shimpei Takahashi. In his creativity-stimulating game, players take turns saying words that begin with the last letter of the previous word. For example, banana, ambulance, echo. The objective is to force connections between new words and start thinking in new directions. Having a proven means for providing fresh inspiration can keep your team from running aground when generating new ideas. With a simple word game in your arsenal like the one Takahashi uses, you have a powerful tool to keep the creativity flowing.

Watch Play This Word Game to Come Up With Original Ideas .

8. 3 Ways to Measure Your Adaptability and How to Improve It by Natalie Fratto

TED talks about team management include this revealing method for choosing potential members for your team. Natalie Fratto, a venture capitalist who invests in start-ups, explains what she looks for in a potential partner and gives a three-pronged approach to gauging adaptability to determine how effective your workers are as team members. A combination of “what if” questions, recognition of the ability to unlearn old information to make room for new data, and a sense of exploration are components that let Fratto know she has found a partner with whom she can mesh. This technique can also help your workers recognize their adaptability shortcomings while offering methods for strengthening this necessary trait.

Watch 3 Ways to Measure Your Adaptability and How to Improve It .

9. How Generational Stereotypes Hold Us Back at Work by Leah Georges

Having workers of varying ages is important to maintaining a team’s diversity. However, workers in a particular generation can have difficulty understanding and accepting workers in another generation. Social psychologist Leah Georges clarifies how stereotypes among the five generations—the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z—can hinder the success of teams and individuals. Georges provides a helpful explanation of each generation, then challenges the existence of these groups. Georges also demonstrates how preconceived notions limit the potential of a multigenerational workforce. The resulting message explains that workers from all generations have traits that call for understanding and compassion.

Watch How Generational Stereotypes Hold Us Back at Work .

10. A Makerspace for Everyone by Robin Hooker

Equality is key to a team’s success, but ensuring team members have equal access to resources and opportunities is sometimes tricky. Robin Hooker reimagines a creative workspace where the barriers come down, and workers can create and collaborate freely. These makerspaces allow diverse teams to assemble on-the-fly, in a place where each worker can contribute their ideas and others can help bring them to life. For teams that require creativity to excel, team TED talks like Hooker’s inspire and become tools and help you reimagine collaboration.

Watch A Makerspace for Everyone .

11. The New Power of Collaboration by Howard Rheingold

According to Howard Rheingold, media and communication are essential to the survival of the group. His speculations about the need for collaboration have been a critical feature of humanity since the dawn of civilization. The advancement of technology and social institutions have signaled that being cooperative is sometimes more important than competition. In his TED talk, Rheingold explains that collaboration, sharing of information, and teamwork are necessary for human development to advance.

Watch The New Power of Collaboration .

12. Innovative Team Building by Karen Grosz

Professional coach Karen Grosz demonstrates the principles of team building through collaborative art experiences. In her TED talk, she explains how owning a ceramics studio paved the way for her to use painting as a means of connecting groups, even individuals without an artistic background. Her early workshops revealed the power of group art to inspire vulnerability, insight, and understanding that may not arise otherwise. Grosz now uses her team art format to help groups forge essential bonds through shared creativity.

Watch Innovative Team Building .

13. The Power of Deliberate Creative Teams by Amy Climer

When creativity combines with purpose, the power of a team multiplies. Amy Climer shares her experiences with being open to the creative process to help strengthen a team. Rather than hiring creatives and leaving them to their work, Climer describes how to inspire and stimulate the creative spark of deliberate work. Innovation is a dynamic that team members and leaders can encourage and model by promoting team purpose, group dynamics, and a shared creative process. By structuring a team for intentional creativity, an organization can better facilitate a successful group experience.

Watch The Power of Deliberate Creative Teams .

14. The Puzzle of Motivation by Dan Pink

Keeping team members motivated is sometimes challenging for leaders. However, by understanding what drives motivation, you can find a more direct path to helping your workers stay engaged. Dan Pink’s 2009 TED talk uses humor and personal experience to showcase the misconception that incentivizing workers inspires creativity and explains how the business model of carrot and stick stifles motivation rather than driving it. Having studied the science of how teams can be better motivated, Pink explains how having flexibility as a leader and adapting your motivational model is the best way to keep your team driven.

Watch The Puzzle of Motivation .

15. Tribal Leadership by David Logan

Without realizing it, individuals align themselves with tribes in work settings and everyday life. Logan defines tribes as groups of between 20 and 100 individuals. These groups have similar values and interests that, together, are greater than their individual specialties. Leaders understand the various levels of tribal interaction and can benefit from knowing how to communicate with groups based on their levels. Successful tribal communication by a leader can help bring the whole team to a higher level, which leads to purposeful connections between tribes. Logan’s viewpoint is enlightening when determining how a leader can lift a team out of the status quo and inspire them to new achievements.

Watch Tribal Leadership .

16. World’s Greatest Workplace by Vishen Lakhiani

Vishen Lakhiani, owner and CEO of Mindvalley, shares the five ways he has attempted to build the best company in the world. Mindvalley addresses aspects such as happiness, purpose, and personal growth to provide a workspace that benefits the workers and the organization. Lakhiani’s organization offers beautiful workspaces for employees to enjoy and allows flexible schedules that make sense for each individual’s lifestyle. Reimagining aspects like team meetings to make them less stressful and gamifying work-based achievement has led to a more engaged workforce for Mindvalley. Being named the Most Democratic Workplace by World Blu for 11 years in a row speaks to the value of giving employees a say in how their workplace functions.

Watch World’s Greatest Workplace .

17. Got a Meeting? Take a Walk by Nilofer Merchant

Conference rooms and offices may not be the most productive setting for your team meetings. As Nilofer Merchant explains, a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air can stimulate new thoughts and better ideas. This TED talk centers on the health dangers of sitting for too long in the workplace, and the inspiration that arises when you stand and walk instead. In addition to offering a more healthful approach to work habits, walking meetings can help keep productivity flowing for you and your team.

Watch Got a Meeting? Take a Walk .

18. How to Disagree Productively and Find Common Ground by Julia Dhar

It is possible to disagree with your teammates and still accomplish your common goals. Former debate champion Julia Dhar explains the best approach for turning disagreements into opportunities. The secret is deciding on a shared reality and keeping a person’s ideas separate from their identity. These techniques can help teams focus on the issues at hand without responding to the status of the people proposing solutions. With this removal of personal identity, Dhar reveals, the ideas on the table become solvable for all team members participating in the discussion.

Watch How to Disagree Productively and Find Common Ground .

Including TED talks among your team building resources gives you a ready-made solution you can tap into whenever you want. Sharing a link to a quick video with a request for your team to watch at their convenience is a great way to begin. Setting up a time to watch TED talks with your team members in person or virtually is even better!

Next, check out this list of songs about teamwork and this list of professional development ideas .

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FAQ: TED talks for team building

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about TED talks for team building.

What are the best TED talks for team building?

The best TED talks for team building include How Generational Stereotypes Hold Us Back at Work by Leah Georges, which explores issues stemming from preconceived notions about cross-generational team members, and First Step to Collaboration: Don’t Be So Defensive by Jim Tamm, which explains how to identify and remove boundaries that can make teamwork challenging.

What are some TED talks about team building?

Some TED talks about team building are How to Turn a Group of Strangers into a Team by Amy Edmondson, How Diversity Makes Teams More Innovative by Rocio Lorenzo, and Build a Tower, Build a Team by Tom Wujec. These videos tackle different aspects of team building to provide guidance on various useful topics.

Why should you watch TED talks with your teams?

You should watch TED talks with your teams to share new perspectives from experts who have studied ways to improve and ensure effective teamwork. When you watch along with your crew, you can start an ongoing conversation with your workers regarding how best to keep the team thriving and succeeding. As new issues arise, you can view a TED talk that addresses the topic and encourages your team members to participate in solving the problem.

Author: Grace He

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com. Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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