Why Serendipity Might Be the Real Key to Success | Dennis Geelen | TEDxOshawa
Dennis suggests that happy accidents or serendipity plays a role in many of the success stories we hear. What if we could prepare to be ready for when serendipity strikes?
References quoted in this talk:
Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glueDate: July 30, 2021Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/
Project Failure Percentage
Title: Project Management Statistics: Trends and Common Mistakes in 2023
Date: Dec 1, 2023
Link: https://pm360consulting.ie/project-management-statistics-trends-and-common-mistakes-in-2023/
Serendipity Definition
“the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.”
Source: Oxford Dictionary
Link: https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780198609810.001.0001/
The Microwave Invention Story
Source: Popular Mechanics
Title: Who Invented the Microwave, and How? Well, It Started With an Accident
Date: March 24, 2023
Link: https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a19567/how-the-microwave-was-invented-by-accident/
Post-it Notes Invention Story
Source: CBC Radio
Title: Inventor of Post-it Note adhesive made something people didn't know they needed, says wife
Date: May 14, 2021
Link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-friday-edition-1.6026987/inventor-of-post-it-note-adhesive-made-something-people-didn-t-know-they-needed-says-wife-1.6027098
Superglue Invention Story
Source: Military Times
Title: How World War II led to the invention of super glue
Date: July 30, 2021
Link: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2021/07/30/how-world-war-ii-led-to-the-invention-of-super-glue/
The Slinky, The Popsicle, and Play-Doh, and Potato chips.
Source: History.com
Title: 7 Momentous Inventions Discovered by Accident
Date: January 10, 2023
Link: https://www.history.com/news/accidental-inventions
Penicillin Invention Story
Source: Science Museum
Title: How was penicillin developed?
Date: Feb 23, 2021
Link: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/how-was-penicillin-developed#:~:text=In%201928%20Dr%20Alexander%20Fleming,chemical%20that%20could%20kill%20bacteria.
Sarah Blakely Backstory
Source: Britannica
Title: Sara Blakely: American inventor and entrepreneur
Date: April 7, 2025
Link: https://www.britannica.com/money/Sara-Blakely
Dennis is a bestselling author, speaker, and coach who helps solopreneurs turn ideas into impactful businesses. With a corporate background in leadership, strategy, and customer experience, Dennis transformed his own layoff into an opportunity to build a thriving consulting business and has written four books, including The Accidental Solopreneur. 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
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