Keynote speeches have been a staple in business, finance and tech since Steve Jobs’ company addresses in the 1990s helped transform Apple into the cultural behemoth it is today. Since then, these presentations have been copied by every major tech company in the world - from Blackberry to Sony, Meta, Open AI and so many more. In this presentation, the handsome and well-traveled business journalist Dan Toomey diagnoses the issues with the modern tech keynote, and how its current state is a far cry from the speeches Jobs once used to inspire millions.Dan Toomey is a comedian and host of the YouTube channel, @GoodWorkMB . With over one million subscribers, Good Work is one determined attempt to understand the world of business, finance and tech that’s come to dominate modern life. Covering private equity, investment banking, business school, Palantir, Cybertrucks and more, Dan and his team of crackerjack researchers (Jack Stebbins, Henry Stockwell) are always sure to get to the bottom of the big story. And if they don’t, they tried their best.This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Trust and common core values will lead to a „for one another spirit“ in teams. This key to success in military operations will also support performance in civilian companies. To achieve and maintain the „for one another spirit“ requires constant leadership commitment. Dr. Thomas Harbaum is a German General (OF-6) in the Medical Corps of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). He serves as the Medical Director and Commander of the Military Hospital in Hamburg since April 2022. He joined the Bundeswehr in 1984, studied medicine at the University of Münster and specialized in general medicine and tropical medicine. Harbaum has held various leadership roles, including positions in NATO and the Ministry of Defense in Berlin. He participated in various missions, amongst them deployments to Indonesia, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (University of London). His special focus is on how to improve performance in teams and how to apply leadership principles that support effectiveness and efficiency to reach common goals. “Leaders encourage to take over responsibility and enable the whole team to be prepared for that. The baseline is not to work with one another but for one another. We learned that military missions will be only successful when this simple principle is applied consistently.” In various discussions with the C-level of civilian companies the General noticed that military and civilian leadership culture need to adhere to the same principles to achieve success in operations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When Hurricane Helene and its flooding struck Appalachia in 2024, devastation followed—but so did something powerful: fearless generosity. In a world shaped by fear and scarcity, Jordan Bailey offers us a new perspective rooted in abundance and community. From muddy boots and shared meals to bold creativity and collaboration, discover how Appalachians are rebuilding not just with resources, but with mindset. You'll hear a powerful call to rethink fear, embrace generosity, and rewrite the story of what’s possible—together. A must-watch for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone seeking to live and give more fully. As a Senior Creative Producer at Cumberland Marketing, I help clients create stories and visuals that drive excitement and growth for their brands. I have over six years of experience in producing, directing, and editing various digital media projects, ranging from web series and podcasts to mini documentaries and social media campaigns.I am passionate about marrying messaging with art, and using my 15+ years of experience and skills in photography, digital photography, and image editing to craft compelling and impactful narratives. I am also an award-winning director of the mini documentary "Storytelling For A More Inclusive South", which explores the role of storytelling in fostering diversity and inclusion in the Southern region. Additionally, I am the owner of Weirdough, a microbakery and food side hustle that aims to create exciting food events and collaborations that bring chefs and communities together. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

When Tia Robinson traveled to Ghana, she expected a cultural homecoming. Instead, she found beaches littered with mountains of discarded clothing—many with tags still on—shipped from countries like the U.S., U.K., and China. What began as a personal journey quickly became a confrontation with the global cost of mass production and textile waste.Through vivid storytelling and lived experience, Tia reveals the flaws of modern fashion systems, driven by overproduction and under-regulation, and offers a path forward. Tia Robinson gives us a whole new way to think about fashion and makes the case that we can transform an industry by the choices we make.As CEO and founder of Vertical Activewear, she eliminates waste by producing on-demand, ethically made activewear. In 2023, Tia expanded her vision by launching an in-house, vertically integrated supply chain.Her brand has been featured in Essence, Shape and New York Magazine, and she received Beyoncé’s NAACP and BeyGOOD Foundation Grant.With more than 15 years in marketing, merchandising and wellness, Tia offers solutions that reduce environmental and social harm.She is a Morgan State University graduate and Georgia Tech ATDC portfolio company member. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Why do we break the promises we make to ourselves? Walt Brown—a veteran management consultant and trust evangelist—reveals a surprising truth: the promises we make alone are doomed to fail. But when we involve others, everything changes.With wit, vulnerability, and a dash of biscuit-fueled honesty, Walt walks us through his journey as a self-proclaimed serial promise breaker, and how a single promise from his wife transformed his health, and his understanding of trust.But this talk isn’t just about personal change. It’s a rallying cry for leaders, teams, and organizations. Drawing from his work with over 185 companies, Walt shows us how promise-making and promise-keeping at work are the invisible levers behind trust, culture, and high performance. Walt Brown is on a mission to remove the “yoke of organizational confusion and dysfunction” that holds employees back from being their best selves at work. By breaking down barriers and aligning teams, Walt is reshaping the way businesses operate—one trust-filled workplace at a time.He believes trust is the foundation of a thriving organization, and when confusion and misalignment persist, distrust takes root. Through years of observation and action, Walt has developed actionable models that help companies foster Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement. His work has directly impacted more than 55,000 employees across 185 companies, empowering organizations to build healthier, more cohesive cultures. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx