If anyone follows my Twitter account, you will have noticed the hashtag #PowerOfUs has pretty much dominated my feed since Saturday morning.
This year’s bold artwork
After being part of the audience on the 2014 TEDxBrum event, I have been eagerly awaiting if the next event would meet my expectations.
It did, and then some! I laughed, I cried, I was dumbstruck with the strength of science and community. As a proud Brummie, it was an amazing place to be; the passion, drive and commitment to the city and its citizens clear.
Attending the event in 2014 cemented my drive for my social mission of my business, but I really needed this injection of TED magic in my life right now; the “can do”, f**k the norm and uncomfortable conversations. Change for ourselves, or the community as a whole, will never happen if we stick the status quo. We can’t accept things just “as they are” or that we can’t make a difference. Each talk clearly showed what can happen if people stop thinking “me” and begin thinking “us”.
For me, these are the key moments that stood out:
1. How a broken system is an invitation for innovation
Amy Martin from F A M A L A M is leading from the front, making early years childcare and play pivotal. I see from speaking to parents how costly childcare is; yet UK policy doesn’t consider it important. Her vision, crafted around quality, children centric childcare that doesn’t stand in the way of parents working or developing their own business, is the future for portfolio and flexible careers.
2. How patience and commitment pays off
I am a typical type “A” personality, and since becoming self-employed, I am having to actively slow down. I expect everything to happen overnight! Hearing Alberto Vecchio and Andreas Freise discuss how it took 100 years for a Astrophysics theory to be proven, made me realise how a) you can’t do everything on your own b) ground-breaking work may take time!
3. How universal income will work
This is the Game Changer for families now and in the future. Anthony Painter detailed how research shows that this country has the money to make it happen now, and other committed, innovative and forward thinking countries are implementing this as I type. This is particularly impactful for mums who are able to have some financial security to retrain to secure a future for themselves and their children. It seems nonsensical to me that is isn’t happening!
4. How social media saves lives
There wasn’t a dry eye in the hall following Jayne Hardy’s honest and vulnerable account of her depression and how finding her tribe and support via social media not only has helped her, but inspired The Blurt Foundation. Reach out; find your group and support will be there. Too many people keep their stories to themselves. You never know who you will help!
5. How change doesn’t have to be complicated
The call to action that Lauren Currie’s, the leader of the Upfront movement was simple but ground-breaking. By inviting people on stage, whilst she spoke, it breaks down the fear and barriers many feel; this will lead to a more diverse panel of speakers for now and the future.
These are the key five things I walked away with; this isn’t to say that the other speakers and performers didn’t touch me – they did. TEDx has an evangelical feel – you genuinely will walk away a different person than entered the room at the beginning of the day; I know I did.
What did you learn and how will you make a change today?
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Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
