In life, I wear two hats, a writer and a public speaking instructor. Talking about pressure, huh. Also, I may or may have not been forced by my students to do this.So, if you see me doing this, please know that I need to be rescued. But let's go back to the hats. As someone who writes for a living, I get into peculiar predicaments.You are observing one today. Other side hustle that I have is I officiate weddings. And the story I'm about to tell you is from my wedding.The very first wedding I officiated. Let ...

[Applause] [Music] Did you know that stories are 22 times more likely to be remembered more than any fact or any stat. And that's not just because stories are something we tell. It's something we use to connect, to remember, to learn.I didn't realize that my most important power wasn't my job, my role, or my title, but it was my story. See, before I stood on a stage like this or in a newsroom, my life was full of stories. The kind of stories that could have ended before they even started.Stories of loss, st ...

[Applause] [Music] I left Korea by myself when I was 16 to move to America because I always felt that my opinionated self was too much for Korean people. At 31, I left my marriage because I woke up one day and realized I deserve better. Eventually, I walked away from a highpaying tech job after a decade of successful career at Meta, Netflix, and Tik Tok to start a beauty marketing agency with the goal of making K beauty mainstream in North America.And I just sponsored Tony Awards. Um, I'm also launching an ...

[music] It's the 24th day of a 30-day expedition skiing across the Greenland ice cap, and I'm exhausted. Not because I've been skiing for 8 to 10 hours every day for the last 24 days. And not because the two sleds I'm pulling behind me are heavy, which they are.I'm exhausted because today it's too warm. [laughter] Instead of the sub-zero temperatures we've had for the last several weeks, today it's around freezing. And the snow is so Yeah, the snow is so sticky and wet that my skis no longer glide.They feel ...

[Music] [Applause] [Music] Good day everyone. You know, they'll always say, "Grab the bull by the horn. Grab the bull by the horn. Grab the bull by the horn." But the thing they'll never tell you is what to do with it. motivational speakers.Huh. Beware their sweet talks. A man was just, you know, walking in his own, minding in his own business.A beautiful, lovely day. But then he heard something. Someone was using those same words.He was like, "If you want to be great in life, you got to grab the bull by th ...

Salam allayikum. What another wonderful morning in the city of Abu Dhabi. I'd like to start with a quick raise of hands.How many of you are in a in a family WhatsApp group. That's what I thought. And there's one rule all of you know.you can't leave. And if you even thought about it, that's a family crime. You miss a picture of the cat in the garden.You're doing something wrong. And there's always that link from mom that, you know, it's a very specific link or a sticker that's just we're so used to. And the ...

There were two moments in my life when I felt absolutely shattered. July 2010, I had just finished my engineering. 15 companies walked into my college for placements.I had a BTech with honors. I had the grades, the certificates, and yet not a single company selected me. And suddenly I found myself sitting at home jobless for almost a year.The second was exactly 10 years later. July 2020. I had just hung up my uniform after serving for almost a decade in the armed forces.The world outside was under lockdown. ...

[Music] [Applause] Before I begin today, I'd like everyone present here to please stand up. Now, I'd like everyone who's ever felt nervous or anxious before doing something that you really wanted to, but just couldn't because of that feeling. That feeling that pulled you back down.Please take a small step forward. Wow, I love the number of people who just had the courage to accept it. Perfect.You'll know why I made you do this in just a few minutes. Please have a seat. [Music] Now, I'd like to ask you if th ...

[Music] You are the single most requested guest. >> And let me tell you, this has not been easy because we went to some hard places. But I don't think we'll ever talk about anything more important than this.Cuz it's not fear that gets in the way of us being brave with our lives and our work. It's the armor that we reach for to self-protect when we're afraid. And the hardest work is being aware of what is my armor when I'm afraid.>> Is that automatic. >> Oh no. That's a train.>> And what about vulnerability. ...

Stepping out of her comfort zone to run for student council, Zhanqing Lu discovered that the journey of courage matters more than a flawless result. With her lively spirit and fearless attitude, she stands by one belief: being brave is cooler than being perfect. In this talk, she shares how taking bold steps can redefine confidence and self-worth. I am Lu Zhanqing. My name and "Tsinghua University" draw inspiration from the same ancient verse: "The waters are limpid and the woods are splendidly clear." It w ...