The Power of Foundational Optimism | Christopher MacLean | TEDxYouth@UWCThailand
Through the remarkable story of Chinese immigrant Shou Woo, who transformed from an illiterate boy to a successful businessman in early 1900s Canada, Christopher MacLean's talk explores the power of “founded optimism” - a data-driven hope that acknowledges global progress while recognizing challenges, emphasizing how positive change happens through collaboration across cultures and generations. Chris MacLean is currently a Subject Area Learning Leader and Teacher at United World College Thailand.Canadian by birth he is a global citizen who has lived in 11 different countries over 33 years.Chris's diverse career spans military service as a Canadian Armed Forces Officer, a brief stint in Canadian politics, journalism with The Ottawa Citizen, and UN humanitarian reporting in Bangkok and Johannesburg. He spent five years leading Emzingo Group's South African operations before pivoting to education.His academic credentials include a BA from McGill University, a Master's in Global Politics from the London School of Economics, and a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard.IB certified in multiple subjects, Chris has taught across three continents, bringing his global perspective to classrooms in Chile, South Africa, and Thailand. In 2023, Chris helped author the Oxford University Press Global Politics Online Textbook. 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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- 20:04Wisdom from Ancient Scriptures: Solving Modern Leadership Challenges | KK Bhagchandani | TEDxMRUKK Bhagchandani presents an insightful session on how ancient wisdom can provide solutions to modern leadership challenges. Every leader, whether in business, technology, or personal life, encounters struggles related to people, resources, finances, and technology. He highlights that logic is abundant in technology but often lacking in human relationships, while emotions are strongest in humans and almost nonexistent in technology. While financial and resource-related issues can be resolved through knowledge and networks, human-related challenges require wisdom and leadership. Wisdom plays a crucial role in making the right choices, developing oneself, and leading a fulfilling life. According to Bhagchandani, it can be found in global case studies, ancient scriptures, and the guidance of elders and mentors. To illustrate this, he shares stories from different sources, covering perspectives on social, professional, and personal life. For social life, he narrates the story of The Monkey and Two Cats, emphasizing that when two equals fight, the one creating the conflict benefits, teaching the importance of unity and fairness. He also draws a lesson from The Mahabharata, where the Pandavas fought for justice despite unfair odds, reinforcing the idea that one must always stand for righteousness. Additionally, he shares the case of Google vs. China (2006-2010), where Google refused to comply with censorship despite business risks, proving that principles should guide decisions. In the professional sphere, Bhagchandani highlights key lessons through three stories. The first, The Mouse and the Cat, demonstrates that great ideas are meaningless without proper execution. He then references The Ramayana, emphasizing the need for strategy, patience, and perseverance in leadership. Lastly, he discusses Coca-Cola’s failure in 1985, where a poor decision led to backlash, yet the CEO took full responsibility, exemplifying true leadership. For personal life, he stresses the idea that nothing in this world is truly free—everything comes at a cost, whether visible or hidden. He shares the story of Yudhishthira and Yama, which underscores the importance of truth and righteousness. Another example is Johnson & Johnson’s 1982 product crisis, where a mistake resulted in the loss of five lives. Instead of denying responsibility, the company took full accountability, setting an ethical standard for businesses. Bhagchandani concludes by reiterating that ancient wisdom remains relevant today. Whether dealing with corporate failures, ethical dilemmas, or leadership struggles, solutions can be found in historical scriptures and past experiences. He encourages leaders to seek knowledge, act with integrity, and learn from history to navigate modern challenges effectively. Business consultant with 30+ years of tech industry expertise. Renowned for transforming leaders into impactful visionaries, he specializes in pharma and life sciences innovation, AI, and cloud transformation. A captivating speaker, has inspired audiences on 1000+ stages, including TEDx, and speaks six languages. Founder of KKB.works and Empyrian Lifesciences Inc, he is also Chief Business Officer at Axcess.io. With accolades like Bharat Udyog Ratan and Glory of India, KKB empowers businesses and leaders to achieve extraordinary success. 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
- 8:23Loss of Curiosity: What happened to the big questions? | Natalie Marttila | TEDxIroquoisRidgeHSNatalie explores the reasons why so many of us lost the curiosity and wonder we had in early childhood, why it is so needed, and how we can gain it back. Natalie Marttila is a creative and dedicated grade 10 student who currently attends Iroquois Ridge High School. She is new to the world of public speaking, but is sure that she will be able to take this challenge head on. In her free time, Natalie enjoys reading, origami, gardening and hiking. She currently serves as the grade 10 representative for the Iroquois Ridge Puzzle Club. Natalie’s TEDx speech is titled “Loss of Curiosity: What happened to the big questions?”. In it, she will be exploring the reasons why so many of us lost the curiosity and wonder we had in early childhood, why it is so needed, and how we can gain it back. 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
