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5 TED Talks That'll Make You More Persuasive

Updated 6/19/2020
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Watch these five TED Talks on being more persuasive if you want to get people to listen to you, respect your opinion, and take your ideas at work.

Knowing how to sell is crucial in many jobs. But knowing how to sell yourself is crucial in your career—to land a job, a promotion, a high-profile project.

What does it take to make yourself the person people count on and go to? These five TED Talks will teach you everything you need to know about being persuasive, from standing your ground, to bouncing back from rejection, to having a successful conversation with anyone.




As a pricing consultant, Brown is very familiar with the concept of “getting paid what you’re worth.” That being said, she still had to overcome her own fears to discover her value. Here’s how she did it, and how you too can confidently earn what you deserve.




Rejection stings. But what happens when you face it over and over again? Blogger and entrepreneur Jia Jiang realized that once you experience rejection, you become stronger—and just maybe, you can begin to turn a “no” into a “yes.”


3. How to Speak Up for Yourself by Adam Galinsky



Sometimes, we speak up at the wrong times. Other times, we don’t speak up when we should. There’s a balance for when you should make a risky ask or voice a strong opinion—and social psychologist Adam Galinsky has the sweet spot for you.




Writer and radio host Celeste Headlee knows the importance of interpersonal skills–but do you? Here’s how we can get better at holding conversations, no matter how much we dislike the person we’re speaking to.




This may not come as a surprise, but smiling makes you appear likable, confident, and competent. Now that’s something to grin about.

Want to know how else it makes you look and feel awesome? Health entrepreneur Ron Gutman has the answers.


Photo of Alyse Maguire

Previously an editor for The Muse, Alyse is proud to prove that yes, English majors can change the world. She’s written almost 500 articles for The Muse on anything from productivity tips to cover letters to bad bosses to cool career changers, many of which have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Inc., CNBC's Make It, USA Today College, Lifehacker, Mashable, and more. In addition to being an avid writer and reader, Alyse loves to dance, both professionally and while waiting for the subway. You can follow her work on her website, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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5 TED Talks That'll Make You More Persuasive | The Muse | The Muse