In this insightful presentation, Ben Wise and Darren Chiu delve into the often-overlooked role of emotions in driving organizational change. They explore how acknowledging and understanding emotional undercurrents can lead to more effective leadership and transformation. By highlighting real-world examples and psychological principles, the speakers demonstrate that addressing the ‘elephant in the room’—the emotional dynamics at play—is crucial for meaningful and lasting change. Ben Wise is a 15-year advertising industry veteran who has held successive sales and leadership roles at Google, where he is currently the Head of Programmatic Media. Ben is active in his community, where he serves on the Board of the Daily Bread Food Bank and advises multiple startups on sales and go-to-market strategyDarren is a Strategy Lead at Google, helping brands across all industries develop best in class marketing strategies. With over 12 years of industry experience, Darren’s passion for communication doesn’t stop at the world of business and sales. In his spare time, Darren moonlights as a comedic storyteller, stretching his creativity and perspectives beyond the boundaries of his professional life. As a recognition of his dedication and expertise, Darren was selected as an Emerging Leader in Advertising & Sales by The Peak in 2023. 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