Day 1 at TED2024: Courage and Connection

Welcome to Day 1 of TED2024! Get ready to dive into the dynamic energy and deep wisdom from TED conference attendees. In this series, our community members share their insights, what made their days special and the “only at TED” moments that can’t be experienced anywhere else.  

First, check out this quick highlight video to give you a glimpse of the magic. 

Whether it’s your first or your 15th time, everyone at TED has the jitters on the first day. 

As we dive into the heart of this experience, we want to bring you closer to the raw, unfiltered emotions and stories from TED attendees. 

We found two big ideas shining through on Day 1 at TED2024: Courage and Connection. Our community had some amazing advice that goes beyond TED.

Here are 3 tips they want you to take away:

1. Be Brave Enough to Take Risks

“You never want to be the smartest person in the room,” says Vishal Gondal , Founder and CEO of GOQii.  “And here you are most likely not the smartest person in the room. So, suddenly, when you see other people taking moonshots, it doesn't scare you from taking a moonshot.”

Vishal may be a TED veteran — attending 10 times — but he still feels the thrill of discovery every time he comes to TED. To him, vulnerability and meaningful connections matter: that’s what leads to personal and professional growth. He recommends putting yourself in an environment where taking risks is encouraged. 

2. Be Intentional About Making Connections

“We usually allow our jobs, our families, our expectations, our culture, to determine what we dedicate our time to,” says Antionette Carroll, M.A. TED Fellow and President & CEO of Creative Reaction Lab. “We need to give ourselves space and time to determine the commitments that we want to make for ourselves. 

When putting yourself in a networking situation where you feel apprehensive, she says to ask yourself: “How powerful is it for you to decide that this is a commitment you want to make for yourself? One that will impact you today and tomorrow.” Whether you’re attending a conference like TED, or networking where you live, she recommends you make a purposeful commitment to self-enrichment.  

3. Start With One Good Question

“Connection to me starts with being open, then just being open to what they say,” says serial entrepreneur and writer, Joah Spearman . 

Joah’s tip for making deep connections? Ask one good question and see where the conversation goes. 

“If you're open, I think energetically people feel that. Try asking them a good question like: Where did you travel here from? Is there someone you're most excited to see?”

Begin with one good question and just listen, he says. That’s one of the things he practices when he’s among all of the amazing and thoughtful humans who attend a TED Conference. 

From vulnerability to intentional connections and inspiration, Day 1 at TED2024 reinforced the value of courage and connection.

Let us know in the comments: What are your tips for connecting with others?