In a previous post, I introduced my FRAMEWORK that I share with clients to use to create their TED talks. It breaks down the presentation into different key elements that contribute to an overall great talk. I decided to explore several popular TED talks to use as examples of this framework in action. My hope is to inspire you so that you can create your unique, authentic talk!
So, let’s break it down. What makes Simon Sinek’s Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”, one of the top ten “most-watched” TED talks of all time?
MAKE THE AUDIENCE CARE
MINUTE 0:14: “How do you explain when things don’t go as we assume?”
Sinek starts his talk with questions to invest his listeners. Meeting the audience where they are and connecting with them is imperative in the first 60 seconds. Sinek’s cadence and tone is engaging and exciting and it draws the listener in immediately.
INTRODUCE YOUR IDEA
His discovery is that there is a pattern to great leadership.
MINUTE 1:35: “they think, act and communicate the exact same way and it’s the complete opposite of everyone else….I call it the Golden Circle.”
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
MINUTE 1:17: “About three and a half years ago, I made a discovery. And this discovery profoundly changed my view on how I thought the world worked, and it even profoundly changed the way in which I operate in it.”
While Sinek chooses to not list his accomplishments and credentials talking about his discovery puts him in a role of researcher, academic or somehow curious about this topic.
PRESENT THE EVIDENCE/DATA
Sinek draws a simple visual for his audience that he has named The Golden Circle and then proceeds to break it down piece by piece.
MINUTE 5:58, “If you look at a cross-section of the human brain, from the top down, the human brain is actually broken into three major components that correlate perfectly with the golden circle…”
MINUTE 9:38: “The difference was, Orville and Wilbur were driven by a cause, by a purpose, by a belief. They believed that if they could figure out this flying machine, it’ll change the course of the world.”
REMIND THE AUDIENCE OF YOUR IDEA
MINUTE 10:51: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. If you talk about what you believe, you will attract those who believe what you believe.”
REVEAL THE NEW REALITY
MINUTE 17:11: “Listen to politicians now, with their comprehensive 12-point plans. They’re not inspiring anybody. Because there are leaders and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or authority, but those who lead inspire us. Whether they’re individuals or organizations, we follow those who lead, not because we have to, but because we want to.”
INVITE YOUR AUDIENCE TO TAKE ACTION
MINUTE 17:43: “We follow those who lead, not for them, but for ourselves. And it’s those who start with “why”that have the ability to inspire those around them or find others who inspire them.”
Preparing a TED talk can be one of the most rewarding and fastest way to deepen the learning about your message, your work and yourself– whether you’ll ever deliver it within a red dot or not!
