TED <3

I do love TED. Every day last week and as often as possible I watch TED Talks & Ads as I burn calories on the Callaway Villas Stairmaster or treadmill.  I know I’m responsible for my physical & mental fitness. I’m also responsible for my professional development so I’m invested & have discovered a great resource in TED.

I recommend TED to everyone.  No $ for conferences? S/he’s a cheap date and always available. You can learn every day with TED from your computer, smart phone or tablet.  Are you are responsible for leading a team and weekly meetings or contributing to the professional development plan for your division? Bring TED as your special guest. TED’s are “riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world.”

I’ve listed/linked some Ads and Talks below. These are all quick, interesting, meaningful & guaranteed to spark thought & conversation.  Watch & listen at the start, middle or close of your staff meetings & let the engagement take off.  Choose topics that are meaningful to your team, to their work, experiences and beliefs.  The thought & conversation that is encouraged after the viewing will build skills, understanding, and team.

Ways to engage with TED: (please share your ideas in the comment section)

• Individual professional development
• Staff meetings
• Training or focused group/team professional development
• Lunch with TED~create a brown bag series with colleagues across the university
• #SAgrads bring your cohort together
• Create a “TED” club -for viewing/discussion
• Skype in a VPSA or leader from another university to participate
• Use ideas to create campus programs (see 1 Day of Peace below)

Please find below some TED ideas for September.  These are mostly recent TED’S. The website has hundreds and is easily searched by talk, theme or speaker. Older favorites by Brene Brown, Sheryl Sandberg, Elizabeth Gilbert, Seth Godin, & Daniel Pink are also great options and TED even has a list the most watched Talks.

Wishing you all a fantastic NEW YEAR! Please comment, add your name & favorite TED’s to this Google Doc* for personal & professional development so others may benefit.  Cheers! T

*Big Thanks to the amazing @NikiRudolph for creating the Doc!