Redefining Leadership: From Kings to Kingmakers | Angad Talwar | TEDxMRU
Angad Talwar shares a fresh perspective on leadership, explaining how its meaning has evolved over time. Today, true leaders support from behind, empowering others rather than seeking the spotlight.
He takes us through his personal journey, growing up in a typical middle-class Punjabi joint family and getting the opportunity to pursue his undergraduate studies in the USA. At just 17 years old, he boarded his first-ever flight, stepping out of his comfort zone. This, he says, was his first leadership lesson—courage. True leaders must be willing to take risks and embrace the unknown.
Studying in an expensive American college, he found himself surrounded by Indian peers from wealthy business families, while he came from a middle-class background. Yet, rather than feeling discouraged, he tapped into his entrepreneurial spirit. He started importing Indian textbooks and selling them in the U.S., making a good amount of money. However, his second leadership lesson was about seeing the bigger picture rather than chasing short-term gains. Even though the business was profitable enough to pay off his student debt, he chose to return to India with zero money and start over.
This was one of the biggest decisions of his life, and at times, he questioned whether it was the right one. But, he learned that failure is inevitable, and his third leadership lesson was about resilience. A true leader does not break down in the face of failure; they adapt, learn, and keep moving forward.
Finally, he leaves us with a powerful thought—"Kings may or may not be leaders, but kingmakers always are." Leadership is not about being in power; it’s about creating and empowering others to succeed. Through his own journey of courage, vision, and resilience, Angad Talwar inspires us to redefine what it truly means to lead.
Founder of CosIQ and alumnus of Southern Methodist University.Passionate about revolutionizing the skincare industry, Angad and his team focus on creating innovative, scientifically proven products. Featured in the first season of Shark Tank India, CosIQ secured one of the season's first successful deals, marking a significant milestone in his journey to redefine skin care. He has been a serial entrepreneur around D2C space till now created 3 successful startups around D2C space. 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
More from TED
- 1:26How your brain changes its mind #shorts #tedx#shorts #tedx #ted #brain #neuroscience #decisionmaking
- 16:06The Surprising Way AI Makes Us More Human | Albert Bozesan | TEDxTUMIn his talk, Albert guides us through an emotional exercise that highlights our capacity to empathize with inanimate objects. This profound insight will launch a discussion about the ways AI influences creative expression. Prepare yourself for an eye-opening experience, complete with visuals of captivating AI-generated art and compelling stories that challenge our understanding of creativity and empathy today. Together, let's explore the evolving relationship between technology and human emotion and see how AI is reshaping our perceptions. A filmmaker, bestselling writer, and generative AI educator, Albert blends tech and creativity. With the release of the first Generative AI tools, he launched a YouTube channel to teach artists how to harness AI for cinematic production—leading him to become Creative Director at Storybook Studios, Europe’s premier AI production house. A self-described "creative pragmatist," he's constantly "Still Charging" forward, shaping the future of filmmaking. 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
- 10:17What if we had our own unique local currency for Djaara Country? | Jodi Newcombe | TEDxBendigoWhat if money was created, not by banks in exchange for debt, but by communities in exchange for good deeds? Imagine if we had a monetary system that created, not scarcity, but abundance. One that was designed to offer security for the most vulnerable in our society, rather than preying upon them. One that celebrated the uniqueness of a particular people and place, and supported a shared community vision for economic resilience, security and thriving, rather than exploiting and exporting local sources of wealth to feed a global network of corporate elites. [Photo credit: Leonie Van Eyk] Jodi is a regenerative economist, community connector and strategic designer living on Djaara Country. Residing now in Castlemaine, Jodi is co-founding member of the Castlemaine Institute and works as Circular Economy Officer at Hepburn Shire Council. Her passion project is examining our relationship with money and investigating the transformative potential of alternative currencies. 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
- 11:33How to move from perfection to possibility | Michelle Cameron Coulter | TEDxSurreyMichelle Cameron Coulter, an Olympic synchronized swimmer, shares her journey from a childhood fear of water to achieving Olympic gold. She reveals how perfectionism, though driving her success, became a destructive force in her life, leading to self-doubt and an eating disorder. With 80% of high achievers—especially women—experiencing impostor syndrome and 91% of women and girls struggling with body image, Michelle’s story resonates deeply. She understands how perfectionism can drain the joy, potential, and mental wellness out of life. Through lessons from her children, including a science experiment on the power of positive energy, she discovered the key to unlocking joy and potential: letting go of perfection. Michelle is an Olympic Gold Medalist, inspirational leader, speaker, and advocate for reaching our full potential in a healthy and sustainable way. After years of chasing perfection in synchronized swimming, she discovered that true fulfillment doesn’t come from being flawless but from embracing the messy, joyful growth process. Her most potent lessons came from her athletic career and being a mother of four. Learning from her children the importance of positive energy, self-compassion, and embracing imperfections, Michelle was determined to be a role model—not just for them but for the many women she saw frozen by the same pressures of perfectionism.With 80% of women leaders feeling they’re not enough and 91% of women and girlsShan struggling with body image, Michelle understands how perfectionism can drain the joy, potential, and mental wellness out of life. She shares a simple yet profound formula for success she believes will empower others to create inspired action and momentum and unlock their gold-medal potential with more joy, freedom, and FU...N. 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
- 7:19How to sing together for deeper connection | Maggie Wheeler & Arnae Batson | TEDxManhattanBeachUsing original music written by Maggie Wheeler, Maggie Wheeler and Arnaé Batson lead the audience in a call and response performance about connecting with each other that will make you smile and feel the power of singing together. Everyone is welcome to sing along and have fun! Maggie Wheeler is best known in the U.S and internationally for her extensive work as an actress in film, television, and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop Singing In The Stream for over 30 years at retreat centers such as Esalen, The Omega Institute, Topa Institute, Art Of Living Center, Sivananda Bahamas as well as universities, communities, and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. For 18 years Maggie has directed the 100-voice, intergenerational, non-auditioned Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood. It is Maggie’s belief and her experience that by singing together we build community, counteract loneliness, become inspired and energized and feel more deeply connected to others and to ourselves.Arnaé Batson is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and culture carrier whose She uses music to create spiritual pathways for health and wholeness. Her passion is building community and uplifting people through songs that share hope and raise awareness for progressive social change. Her singing is deeply rooted in the spiritual and historical experiences of Black American culture, exploring genres from jazz, blues and gospel to R&B and beyond. She has earned the distinction as one of the foremost interpreters and song leaders of the music of the Underground Railroad, the Modern Civil Rights movement and Black American Sacred Music. Arnaé has traveled the globe extensively as a songleader, composer, arranger, session singer and workshop clinician. Arnaé firmly believes that leading people in song can reawaken joy, build true connections and provide the musical salve necessary for the healing of personal and social wounds for all who are willing. 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
- 17:15Why respect for women starts with history | Sita Sargeant | TEDxCanberraIn her talk 'Why respect for women starts with history', Sita challenges historical narratives and inspires a more inclusive understanding of the past. Sita Sargeant is a passionate storyteller and activist using tourism to champion gender equality. Frustrated by the erasure of women and queer people in history, she founded She Shapes History - a Canberra-based tour company offering engaging walking tours that spotlight their contributions. 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
