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Want to Get Ahead at Work? Risk the Awkward Moments | Henna Pryor | TED

When we avoid feeling awkward, we often miss an opportunity for growth, says workplace performance expert Henna Pryor. She shares tips on embracing discomfort for the sake of self-betterment and shows how pushing past the “cringe chasm” — the gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others see us — can open up chances…

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When we avoid feeling awkward, we often miss an opportunity for growth, says workplace performance expert Henna Pryor. She shares tips on embracing discomfort for the sake of self-betterment and shows how pushing past the “cringe chasm” — the gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others see us — can open up chances to get ahead at work and in life. (Recorded at TEDxQueensVillage on September 2, 2022)

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32 Comments

32 Comments

  1. @Hodophile-c2z

    September 5, 2024 at 7:02 am

    greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

    • @mr.c2485

      September 5, 2024 at 7:16 am

      Is this Tony the Tiger? 😅
      Did a double take on your name….awkward!

  2. @ZakFromOhio

    September 5, 2024 at 7:22 am

    Want to get ahead at work? Quit every 2 years and get a better job with more pay. Faster track to wealth than staying with the same company and losing money to inflation.

    • @user-ij1uh1ux2z

      September 5, 2024 at 7:58 am

      If you working in Macdonald’s, yes it’s possible to quit every 2 years…

    • @Masterdebater-q5c

      September 5, 2024 at 11:03 am

      That’s true, I would also add to your message and say how extremely important it is to negotiate your salary prior to starting a job because after that you’re only ever going to increase your pay between 3-10% each year based on the company

    • @rowanjohnstone9524

      September 6, 2024 at 8:07 am

      or 0.5 to 3% more likely

  3. @mr.c2485

    September 5, 2024 at 7:23 am

    An “A” type who can’t express themselves?? 😊. That’s a new one…

  4. @erkinyldrm6579

    September 5, 2024 at 7:29 am

    Is this a ted X or TED ?!?

    • @puffinjuice

      September 5, 2024 at 2:51 pm

      X

  5. @face-in-the-crowd

    September 5, 2024 at 8:05 am

    TedX has gotten so cringe!!!

    • @melinatrummer

      September 5, 2024 at 4:41 pm

      What is cringe about TedX?

  6. @kshaur13

    September 5, 2024 at 8:16 am

    Worst Ted Talk I’ve ever seen

    • @TronSAHeroXYZ

      September 5, 2024 at 7:32 pm

      Why’sat?

  7. @frydac

    September 5, 2024 at 8:21 am

    Wut, you went in for a hug at work? And ‘he’ went for the fist-bump. So like, male-female work hug? Dang, when was this, I’ve never hugged anyone at work ever, which is the last 20 years or so 😀 let alone someone from another gender, I can’t even imagine lol

    • @carsonhunt4642

      September 8, 2024 at 4:36 pm

      That’s the real irony is seeing someone white collar try to give job advice lol. This would be a cute talk for college students (well the half that can get a job, half no longer do). White collar workplace politics is a different world than most others

  8. @jameseyk1

    September 5, 2024 at 8:36 am

    “alright Dave”

  9. @knice8886

    September 5, 2024 at 9:04 am

    Bangladesh

  10. @brunacristina2581

    September 5, 2024 at 9:26 am

    “Instead of improving, instead of leveling up, instead of playing to win, we play not to lose” (3:40)

  11. @TinNguyenThanh-ko6pi

    September 5, 2024 at 10:29 am

    it’s so boring

  12. @magneat

    September 5, 2024 at 10:58 am

    She tried to put this in an interesting way. And she did a good job on being emotional, good pronunciation, etc. But it’s just the topic that doesn’t look interesting. I’m half way thru the video and I’m not intrigued by what’s going to be next. In fact I will not watch the 2nd part. Because so far the first part felt useless to me. Sorry, Helen)

  13. @HacknMate

    September 5, 2024 at 11:18 am

    1 minute in and I already can tell she is very insecure. Seems like shes giving advice from an emotional POV. Relying on emotions and motivation at a work/job hunting scenario is not practical at all!!

  14. @theprimalpitch190

    September 5, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    She’s smart and competent. Nice. But the actual talk is also like an elite recruit’s presumption of superiority. Weak and un-motivated premise, lack of modulation in intensity, pace, etc. No sign-posting. Instead just a non-stop frontal assault of ostensibly formidable revelations but actually from an angry victim point of view. And wait! She’s a “workplace performance expert?” Ha ha. A “just say no” solution to workplace stress? This is the epitome of “just do my smart thing and all will be solved.” Nope!

  15. @puffinjuice

    September 5, 2024 at 2:58 pm

    Funny that this popped up on the morning of a presentation I dont feel prepared for. I am prepared, but my approval mind set is not helping with getting me prepared. Now that I’ve watched this, I feel less daunted by telling myself to embrace discomfort. Thanks for the good presentation!

  16. @CollinRutherford

    September 5, 2024 at 4:35 pm

    Shifting from seeking approval to focusing on improvement is key for personal development.

  17. @TronSAHeroXYZ

    September 5, 2024 at 7:34 pm

    I mistook a woman I used to know for a Helen. Was one of my biggest mistakes ever. Her real name wasn’t Helen.

  18. @crownsandbutterflies

    September 5, 2024 at 11:57 pm

    The presentation was good, I like how she showed her vulnerability in the beginning and was forth coming (when she neglected to correct her superior). When someone says something to you that will make you cringe later like mispronouncing her name, it is wise to address it sooner than later. She streamlined her points and drove home in great detail how decorum and risk taking are important in any profession. Overcoming awkward moments or difficult discussions some times takes risk, because you never know how the person on the other end will perceive and or receive the message you are trying to convey. Be honest about your intentions at work and set personal goals. It will help you get ahead at work. Good job Henna!

  19. @Rinab-e3t

    September 6, 2024 at 1:06 am

    6654 Anderson Common

  20. @ColeridgeMaggie

    September 6, 2024 at 4:40 am

    15440 Wilfred Isle

  21. @crowningglory6654

    September 6, 2024 at 7:44 am

    This was sooo good. It’s that kind of topic that you won’t get it or recognise the pearls in it unless you are emotionally intelligent or on the journey to becoming so. It’s exactly what I needed. Choosing to be brave in moments that carry risk of unpleasant opinions to get to the other side of your own growth and future capability. That familiar saying growth is uncomfortable. Well put, well presented 👏👏👏

  22. @kyokoyumi

    September 8, 2024 at 3:56 am

    Correcting someone on your name is not rude, risk taking or awkward. IT’S YOUR FUCKING NAME. You’re allowed to make sure people are saying it and spelling it correctly. If they have a problem with it, they clearly have a problem with YOU and you should leave that job post haste.
    Has absolutely nothing to do with approval and everything to do with respect for you as a person and an employee.
    Nothing about that is awkward and if they refuse to say your name right, start saying their name wrong. Spit their passive aggressive bullshit back in their face 😀

    That said, the overall point of the video is good.

  23. @bert3163

    September 8, 2024 at 9:11 am

    It depends on the culture of your workplace, the groundwork you’ve laid, how well you read the room, and how marketable you are. I’ve known lots of people – including white males – whose attempts at authenticity have damaged their careers.

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Nonprofits & Activism

To End Extreme Poverty, Give Cash — Not Advice | Rory Stewart | TED

Are traditional philanthropy efforts actually taking money from the poor? Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart breaks down why many global development projects waste money on programs that don’t work. He advocates for a radical reversal rooted in evidence: giving unconditional cash transfers directly to those in need, a method that could unlock the…

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Are traditional philanthropy efforts actually taking money from the poor? Former UK Member of Parliament Rory Stewart breaks down why many global development projects waste money on programs that don’t work. He advocates for a radical reversal rooted in evidence: giving unconditional cash transfers directly to those in need, a method that could unlock the secret of addressing extreme poverty worldwide. (Recorded at TED2024 on April 19, 2024)

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Nonprofits & Activism

What Does It Take to Create Change? An Artist and a Conservationist Answer | TED Intersections

What does it actually take to make meaningful change? Conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and playwright and theater director Amir Nizar Zuabi reflect on the deep connection between human suffering and environmental degradation and the community-building power of art to raise awareness. With equal parts hope and concern for the future, they speak to the urgent…

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What does it actually take to make meaningful change? Conservationist Kristine McDivitt Tompkins and playwright and theater director Amir Nizar Zuabi reflect on the deep connection between human suffering and environmental degradation and the community-building power of art to raise awareness. With equal parts hope and concern for the future, they speak to the urgent need to act now — and emphasize the transcendent power of compassion-fueled collaboration. (This conversation is part of “TED Intersections,” a new series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts exploring ideas at the intersection of their experience.)

Watch Kristine McDivitt Tompkins’s talk from TED2020:
Watch Amir Nizar Zuabi’s talk from TED Countdown Summit 2023: and his talk from TEDMonterey 2021:

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Nonprofits & Activism

Why Isn’t the Climate Movement Voting? | Nathaniel Stinnett | TED

Millions of people say they care deeply about climate change … yet they’re not showing up at elections to turn their concern into political power, says environmental voting advocate Nathaniel Stinnett. He explains why increasing voter participation is essential to advancing the climate movement and shows how his team is mobilizing millions of new environmental…

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Millions of people say they care deeply about climate change … yet they’re not showing up at elections to turn their concern into political power, says environmental voting advocate Nathaniel Stinnett. He explains why increasing voter participation is essential to advancing the climate movement and shows how his team is mobilizing millions of new environmental voters — without talking about climate change at all.

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The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: . For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at

#TED #TEDTalks #voting

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