Resources

Five exercises to retune your listening for connection

Julian Treasure

Sound expert Julian Treasure argues we are losing our listening skills and offers five simple exercises to retune our ears. A concise, accessible introduction to conscious listening for any manager.

Empathy vs sympathy — a short animated primer

Brené Brown

A short, animated RSA video distinguishing empathy from sympathy with memorable clarity. Perfect for quickly grasping a core EQ skill that managers often confuse or overlook.

Why safety is the precondition for team innovation

Amy Edmondson

Amy Edmondson explains why psychological safety is the precondition for people taking the interpersonal risks that innovation requires. Crucial for managers who want their teams to surface and test new ideas.

Principles of effective mentorship and supporting others' growth

Kenneth Ortiz

A short, accessible TED talk on the principles of effective mentorship and supporting others' growth. Helpful for managers looking to shift from directing to developing.

Authenticity, logic, and empathy — the three drivers of trust

Frances Frei

Frances Frei's TED Talk breaks down the three core drivers of trust: authenticity, logic, and empathy. A concise, practical framework for diagnosing and improving the quality of your professional relationships.

Radical transparency and idea meritocracy at Bridgewater

Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio explains how Bridgewater intentionally engineered a culture of radical transparency and idea meritocracy. A vivid example of how explicit norms and tools can shape team behaviour.

Time management is a question of priorities, not efficiency

Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam's TED talk reframes time management as a question of priorities rather than efficiency. A short, practical watch on building a schedule around what truly matters.

Why ideas catch on — applied to internal change communication

Seth Godin

Seth Godin's TED talk on why ideas catch on offers powerful insight for change leaders trying to build momentum and align people behind new directions. Short, memorable, and applicable to internal change communication.

Leaders create environments where teams generate new ideas

Linda Hill

Linda Hill's TED talk on how innovative leaders create environments where teams continuously generate and refine ideas. Valuable for understanding the human side of driving process innovation.

Teaming across boundaries without stable team structures

Amy Edmondson

Harvard's Amy Edmondson explains 'teaming'—the practice of coordinating and collaborating across boundaries without the benefit of stable team structures. Essential viewing for anyone leading work that spans multiple teams.

Replace why with what for 10x better self-insight

Tasha Eurich

A 17-minute TED talk where Eurich shares research showing 95% of people think they're self-aware but only 10-15% actually are. She offers a simple linguistic shift to dramatically improve self-understanding.

Track data to make better personal and professional decisions

Talithia Williams

Talithia Williams' engaging TED talk demonstrates how tracking and analyzing personal data leads to better decisions, with lessons that translate directly to management. A short, accessible primer on the mindset shift toward evidence.

Resource allocation is the most consequential management decision

Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School's Joseph Bower discusses why resource allocation is the most consequential decision managers make. A concise video that reframes allocation as the real engine of strategy.

The Golden Circle framework for communicating purpose

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek's classic TED talk explains the Golden Circle framework and why communicating purpose before plans inspires teams to follow. A foundational watch for any leader learning to articulate why their team's work matters.

OKRs — the goal-setting system that drives results

John Doerr

John Doerr's TED Talk explaining why setting the right goals is the secret to success. A concise, inspiring introduction to OKRs and goal-setting discipline for managers at any level.

When to hire, what to look for, how to assess candidates

Y Combinator / Sam Altman

Y Combinator's lecture on early-stage hiring with practical advice on when to hire, what to look for, and how to assess candidates. Particularly strong on aligning hires with team culture and mission.

What makes stories land — from a Pixar filmmaker

Andrew Stanton

Pixar filmmaker Andrew Stanton shares the elements that make stories work, from inviting the audience in to honoring a strong theme. A masterclass in narrative craft applicable to any leader's communication.

Reducing people to single narratives strips dignity and complexity

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Adichie's iconic TED talk explores how reducing people to single narratives strips them of dignity and complexity. A powerful 18-minute primer on why representation and varied perspectives matter in any team.

A 10-minute primer on growth mindset and the power of yet

Carol Dweck

Carol Dweck's TED talk distills her research into a 10-minute primer on the growth mindset. A great starting point for anyone wanting to understand how 'the power of yet' transforms how we approach challenges.

Why structured onboarding improves retention and time-to-productivity

LinkedIn Talent Solutions

A concise video featuring research on why structured onboarding dramatically improves retention and time-to-productivity. A quick, evidence-based primer managers can watch before designing their own onboarding approach.

Reframe accountability conversations as acts of care

Brené Brown

Brené Brown's research-backed talk on courage and difficult conversations is invaluable for managers who avoid hard performance discussions. It reframes accountability conversations as acts of care rather than confrontation.

A four-part formula for feedback that lands well

LeeAnn Renninger

A 5-minute TED talk introducing a science-backed four-part formula for delivering feedback that lands well. Perfect quick-reference for managers preparing for a tough conversation.

Three evidence-based strategies from a resilience researcher

Lucy Hone

Resilience researcher Lucy Hone shares three evidence-based strategies she used in her own grief, drawn from her academic work. A short, moving talk that translates psychological research into actionable habits.

Psychological safety enables ownership, not fear-based compliance

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek's TED Talk on how psychological safety enables people to take ownership rather than hide mistakes. A key insight for building accountability cultures that don't rely on fear.