9 Ted Talks Everyone in the Insurance Industry Should Watch

As an insurance professional, you are a  business and community leader who has significant influence on those around you. And in order to most effectively serve your clients, support your colleagues, and advance your career you must prioritize your own personal and professional growth. By taking advantage of the vast and varied resources available, you can distinguish yourself from your competitors with a personal brand that exudes knowledge, capability, and individuality. One of the most useful information banks at your disposal is the TED Talk digital library. TED is an organization “dedicated to researching and sharing knowledge that matters through short talks and presentations.” Their videos cover almost every topic under the sun, are delivered by passionate experts, and seek “to inform and educate global audiences in an accessible way” Below we have included nine TED Talks that every insurance agent should watch to broaden their perspective, increase their knowledge, and strengthen their position in the industry. The diverse topics covered in these videos will challenge the way you approach policy selling, client acquisition, relationship building, and personal motivation. And some will even give you an early advantage for seizing upcoming opportunities in the modern insurance industry. So, whether you have five minutes or two hours to spare, we encourage you to watch these videos and reflect on their lessons to become the most successful agent possible.  

1. How Technology is Changing the Stale Insurance Industry by Laura Drabik
2. A Good Mentor Is the Best Insurance Policy by Hrishikesh Mafatlal
3. A Sale is a Love Affair by Jack Vincent
4. Finding Zen in Digital Insurance by Rohan Kumar
5. Want to Help Someone? Shut Up and Listen! by Ernesto Sirolli
6. How to Make Stress Your Friend by Kelly McGonigal
7. Why We Do What We Do by Tony Robbins
8. The Key to Success? Gritby Angela Lee Duckworth
9. A Life of Purpose by Rick Warren

  Read below to get a spark notes version of these important ted talks.

How Technology is Changing the Stale Insurance Industry by Laura Drabik

New business models and technology giants are changing customer expectations across dozens of industries – and insurance is no exception. In recent years, Insurtech innovators are disrupting our industry and shaping its future. In this TED Talk, Laura Drabik, VP of Business Innovation for Guidewire Software, coaches agents and other industry professionals on how to remain relevant and competitive as the industry changes.  

A Good Mentor Is the Best Insurance Policy by Hrishikesh Mafatlal

In this TED Talk, Mafatlal helps his audience discover the purpose of their life and pursue a good and meaningful one. He believes that, “life has a higher purpose… to help others and get satisfaction in their happiness.” When applying these lessons to the insurance industry, Mafatlal discusses why a strong mentor is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to begin or grow their career. His message has resonated with audiences across the globe and motivated countless individuals to seek out mentor and mentee relationships.

A Sale is a Love Affair by Jack Vincent

Jack Vincent is renowned author and sales advisor who has been referred to as “a poet in a business suit.” In this Ted Talk he shares his unique approach to selling and advocates for why everyone should treat each sale like a romantic relationship. His advice will help agents and brokers alike to improve their selling technique to gain clients trust and consistently seal the deal.  

Finding Zen in Digital Insurance by Rohan Kumar

As CEO of Toffee Insurance, Rohan Kumar has become an expert on digitizing the insurance experience and appealing to millennial clients. This TED Talk discusses how insurance professionals can make our industry more relatable and accessible to younger audiences with modernized marketing and product strategies delivered in digital formats. And in turn, they can expand their client network and successfully change people’s opinion of insurance for the better.

Want to Help Someone? Shut Up and Listen! by Ernesto Sirolli

Through his experience at a global non-government organization, Sirolli learned how to determine why plans often go awry and what can be done to improve them. In this TED Talk, he teaches his audience strategies for business success – including why listening to a person’s challenges is the most effective first step in creating solutions.  

How to Make Stress Your Friend by Kelly McGonigal

No insurance professional is immune to stress, and learning how to use this to their advantage is an invaluable skill. In this TED Talk, health psychologist Kelly McGonigal teaches her audience how to recognize the early signs of stress and productively channel that energy and achieve results. According to McGonigal, “when you view stress [as] your body believing in you, your stress response becomes healthier.”  

Why We Do What We Do by Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is one of the most highly respected and well-known motivational speakers in the world. In this TED Talk, Robbins explores the external forces that influence a person’s behavior and what value can come from recognizing these forces in others and ourselves. Her talk will teach insurance professionals how to become more self-motivated, understand what motivates potential clients, and use these skills to build stronger connections when conducting their business.  

The Key to Success? Gritby Angela Lee Duckworth

This succinct TED Talk questions the belief that a person’s success is dictated primarily by their intelligence. While studying young students, Duckworth witnessed how perseverance and resilience are more useful than natural intellect. Therefore, she asserts that dedication and “grit” are more valuable than genius. So by doubling down on their goals and working to overcome hurdles in their path, insurance professionals and small business owners can find their true key to success.  

A Life of Purposeby Rick Warren

In this TED Talk, Rick Warren asks his audience a compelling question “What are you going to do with what you’ve been given?” This questions requires significant reflection on our individual talents and how they can be used to achieve our unique goals. As community and business leaders, insurance professionals should continually seek a purpose-driven life centered on stewardship for those we serve.   Interested in accessing more invaluable resources? Community Educators is committed to helping insurance professionals achieve their full potential by providing continuing education courses focused on meeting your professional development needs, teaching time-honored and emerging best practices, and collaborating with fellow insurance producers. To learn more about how you can most effectively grow your career while continuing to support your loyal clients, please visit us online today.