Introduction
TED Talks have become a phenomenon, offering insights, inspiration, and humor. Great speakers and great leaders inspire action when they speak. Whether you hope to gain some new insight, inspire creativity or motivation, or you simply love TED talks, these talks offer something for everyone. In this post, we’ve created a playlist of the 10 most popular TED talks from some great leaders that you need to watch.
10. Strange Answers to the Psychopath Test – Jon Ronson
Overview: In this popular TED talk, Jon Ronson shares his journey of exploring the world of psychopaths. He discusses his encounters with individuals who have been labeled as psychopaths and questions the criteria used to diagnose them. Ronson examines the nuances of psychopathy, exploring how the traits associated with it can be found in people in positions of power.
Views: 24 million
Why It Was Monumental/Successful: The success of this talk lies in Jon Ronson’s ability to speak with investigative journalism. The intriguing subject matter draws his audience in and challenges them to think critically about mental health, power, and the nature of psychopathy. The talk raises questions about the ethics of psychiatric diagnoses and the implications of labeling individuals as psychopaths.
Find Out Exactly How Much You Could Make As a Paid Speaker
Use The Official Speaker Fee Calculator to tell you what you should charge for your first (or next) speaking gig — virtual or in-person!
9. Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are – Amy Cuddy
Overview: In this TED talk meant to inspire, social psychologist Amy Cuddy discusses how body language affects not only how others perceive us but also how we perceive ourselves. She talks about the concept of “power posing” – adopting postures that boost confidence and influence outcomes in high-pressure situations. Amy Cuddy shares research showing that simple changes in body language shapes us and can lead to significant improvements in how we feel about ourselves, which can ultimately shape our life.
Views: 25 million
Why It Was Successful: Cuddy’s talk offers practical advice on body language that is easy to implement and has the potential for immediate impact. The idea from Amy Cuddy that power posing and our body language shapes our minds and our outcomes resonates with a widely.
8. What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness – Robert Waldinger
Overview: In his inspiring, popular TED Talk, Robert Waldinger, the director of a Harvard study on adult development, shares insights into the puzzle of what truly brings happiness and health. His research followed the lives of 724 men, tracking a variety of metrics. Waldinger speaks about how close relationships are what help people attain happiness throughout their lives.
Views: 26 million
Why It Was Successful: Waldinger’s TED talk has resonated with a global audience because it challenges our most common assumptions about the puzzle of happiness. Using the best stats and evidence from the longest study of its kind, Waldinger talks on what leads to a fulfilling life for humans to his audiences. He talks on the importance of relationships and social connections strikes a chord with listeners and viewers, especially in this age where work and materialism can often take center stage.
7. The Future We’re Building — and Boring – Elon Musk
Overview: Not one to skirt controversial ideas, in his popular TED talk, the elusive, creative genius, Elon Musk, talks about his plans for the future. His focus is on several groundbreaking projects that his companies are developing. Musk talks about a wide range of topics, including the potential for electric vehicles (particularly interesting now, with the rise of Tesla), the colonization of Mars, and the creation of underground tunnel networks to alleviate traffic congestion. Musk talks about the advancements in AI and how these technologies could shape the future.
Views: 26 million
Why It Was Successful: Elon Musk’s TED talk is popular because it provides an insider’s look at the groundbreaking innovations that could change the way we live, work, and travel. Musk’s to think big and tackle some of the world’s biggest problems, like sustainable energy and urban congestion, makes this TED talk particularly inspiring. Although not the most articulate of speakers, Musk gives listeners a sense of the future that he is working to build – a future for our children.
6. The Art of Misdirection – Apollo Robbins
Overview: Apollo Robbins, a world-renowned pickpocket and deception expert, explores the concept of misdirection and the power it holds in shaping our perceptions. Through a series of on-stage demonstrations, Robbins’ TED talk shows his mysterious ability to control where his audiences’ attention goes, revealing how our minds can be distracted without us even realizing it. He uses his skills to highlight the vulnerabilities in our cognitive processes and explains how understanding these can lead to a deeper comprehension of human behavior and decision-making.
Views: 27 million
Why It Was Successful: This most popular TED talk is widely viewed because it offers a unique perspective on the workings of the human mind. Robbins’ talk is both deeply informative and entertaining, shedding light on the cognitive biases that affect our daily lives. His ability to demonstrate these principles in real-time makes the talk both memorable and thought-provoking.
5. Looks Aren’t Everything. Believe Me, I’m a Model – Cameron Russell
Overview: In one of the most popular TED talks, Cameron Russell, a fashion model, takes the stage and talks about the privileges and pitfalls of, well, being beautiful. She starts by noting the advantages her looks have afforded her in life but soon pivots to a deeper critique of the modeling industry and society’s obsession with physical appearance. Russell shares personal stories and hard truths about the superficial nature of beauty, the insecurities models face, and the other side of the fashion world.
Views: 30 million
Why It Was Successful: Cameron Russell’s speech is an important listen because it breaks down the facade of the industry and challenges listeners to rethink their perceptions of beauty. Her vulnerability offers a unique perspective. It is one of the best and most popular TED talks not only because it comes from within the industry but also because it delivers a powerful message about self-acceptance.
4. The Orchestra in My Mouth – Tom Thum
Overview: Tom Thum takes to the TED stage to wow the audience using only the creativity of his mouth. He mimics an entire orchestra, creating sounds of various musical instruments and even everyday noises with precision and creativity. Thum’s performance is not only a demonstration of his talent but also a celebration of the human voice’s potential as an instrument and what makes TED talks so impactful – hence the video’s millions of views.
Views: 36 million
Why It Was Successful: This TED talk redefines what people think is possible with the human voice. Thum challenges the boundaries of vocal expression and shows that creativity can take many forms. The TED talk’s popularity lies in its combination of focused, jaw-dropping talent and charismatic stage presence and passion.
3. The Next Outbreak? We’re Not Ready – Bill Gates
Overview: This talk was delivered in 2015. In a stroke of genius, Bill Gates warns of the potential devastation a global pandemic could cause and criticizes the unpreparedness of governments and health organizations. He talks about the Ebola outbreak of 2014 and the potential for a more widespread infectious disease. Gates talks about the need for a global health system that can respond quickly to such threats and argues that pandemics have the potential to kill millions of people and devastate economies, yet the world we belong to remains unprepared.
Views: 37 million
Why It Was Successful: Like that of many great leaders, Bill Gates’ popular TED Talk became a sign for a global crisis that the world would face later with the COVID-19 pandemic. His informative talk and his reputation as a visionary and philanthropist lend weight to his warnings. Gates’ talk communicated the urgency of pandemic preparedness. The TED talk’s popularity lies in its foresight and the powerful message that ignoring such threats could lead to catastrophe.
Ready to Get Your First (Or Next) Paid Speaking Gig?
Download our free 26-page guide and get the 14 exact steps you can follow to book a paid speaking gig right now!
2. How to Speak So That People Want to Listen – Julian Treasure
Overview: Julian Treasure talks about the idea of speaking in a way that captures attention and creativity and inspires action. He identifies common habits that can undermine our communication and provides a set of vocal tools that can help anyone become a more effective speaker. Treasure introduces the acronym HAIL (Honesty, Authenticity, Integrity, and Love) as a guide to fostering genuine and impactful communication.
Views: 41 million
Why It Was Successful: Julian Treasure’s speech is one of the most popular TED talks because it addresses a fundamental human skill—speaking—in a way that is accessible and actionable. His advice makes this talk highly relatable and applicable. The talk’s success comes from its ability to resonate with people who want to improve their communication, whether in personal conversations, public speaking, or professional settings.
1. Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator – Tim Urban
Overview: In the most popular TED talk ever, with tens of millions of views, Tim Urban talks about the inner workings of a procrastinator’s mind. Urban uses his own experiences as a chronic procrastinator to explain why people tend to delay important tasks. He talks about the concept of the “Instant Gratification Monkey” and the “Panic Monster” to show the internal battle that procrastinators face.
Views: 56 million
Why It Was Successful: Urban’s TED Talk is successful because it combines humor with deep psychological insights and surprising science. By breaking down complex behaviors into simple, bite-sized concepts, Urban makes the topic of procrastination accessible. The talk resonates with viewers because it not only explains why procrastination happens but also offers motivation and a lighthearted look at a common struggle.
Conclusion
The best TED talks and their speakers show the power of ideas and the impact that a talk can have on millions of people around the world. Whether it’s changing perspectives and ideas, sparking new insight, or providing hope, each of these TED talks has earned its place on this list.
