Forget the Corporate Ladder - Winners Take Risks | Molly Graham | TED

[@Ibn_Jummuah]

I came to America on a student VISA from some village in Africa. One day, in college in Seattle, a recruiter asked if I want to join the US Army. I “jumped off the cliff”. 10 years fast forward today I won’t be where I am today without taking that risk to put in a military attire that no one from my ancestors has ever seen. Thank you maam. Great Talk

[@legrandhanf]

Didn’t know you could join the U.S. Army as non U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder

[@Ibn_Jummuah]

@ I already had my green card. The US Army didn’t pick me up ( kidnapped) from my village . I came here as a student and eventually got a green card then joined the Army in South Carolina of the place lol

[@sesay3168]

Well I’m not sure our ancestors are not proud of you as a Gambian in a foreign army. You joined the military out of desperation and not to make ancestors proud. So just be honest. However, you can be proud of yourself.

[@Ibn_Jummuah]

@@sesay3168 I didn’t join the military desperation. I don’t remember doing anything in life out of desperation Alhamdullah. I chose to join out of maybe curiosity knowing the pros and cons of serving any military service. Also I don’t remember saying I make my ancestors proud. Again I don’t do anything to make no one proud lol. I serve my Creator Allah swt and try my best to do what I think is right

[@Mnqobi_Mkhize]

I know this is a lie because any one from anywhere in Africa will tell you exactly where they're from. That's just how proud Africans are of where they come from. You don't just pop out of "some village" in Africa. Great story though.

[@sundas-warsi]

Fear of failure is so strong and common that it does not let the true and capable person come out. And that's the reason, the world does not know about most amazing people!

[@Ap_twsh]

No, the most amazing people will always be seen not everyone should take those kinds of risks. The risk takers that make change do it anyways they don’t follow trends they do it because it’s what they want.

[@Khotsa]

True dat!

[@santiagodevotech7]

​@@Ap_twsh Or because they can afford the downfalls of taking some of those risks. If you're in a certain position in life, just one risk taken that didn't end well will bury your life forever.

[@smileysmilingqueen]

This video is gold. Gonna keep it as a reminder the next time I have to do a cliff jump. For a long while, my immediate boss has been trying to push me up for promotion as she believed in my potential. In my most recent work review with her, she finally decided to let me go with my choice (declined promotion). I declined because I wasn't ready. I felt that i still have things within me that I need to work on and the promotion might not benefit me but make me feel more incompetent or anxious. For about 2 months after that review, I kept wondering if I have made a mistake. I felt lost and certainly felt like I took a step backward. I know that most of my colleagues would definitely take up the promotion if offered. Now I'm starting to learn and see that climbing the corporate ladder is not the only way to define career success. I'm definitely going to take a different perspective, embrace the entire process, expecting and going through the lows and highs, the next time I'm being out to do something new or start a new project.

[@mindsoulvalley1900]

More strength and respect to you for your decision🙌

[@sparkyplug28]

@@smileysmilingqueen you should walk in her office and say you take the promotion I’ve never been “ready” for a role in my life I still ran at them I’ve had 2 promotions in 2years the 3 is looming I sat in a meeting today that was totally out of my depth but the value I gained was incredible

[@Mystic_Paths]

Winners take risks because they understand that growth and success come from stepping into the unknown. They embrace uncertainty, knowing that the greatest rewards lie beyond the safety of comfort zones ❤

[@handleking1]

She's talking about job hopping... Which is pretty much modern day ladder climbing. Cliff jump is more like starting your own business.

[@IDanielMoralesI]

Totally!

[@mollymo6229]

Yeah she is not teaching anything to anyone who is a millennial or Gen Z. 😂

[@heisenbergjk3557]

Wrong, she is talking a much more than that.

[@Harrisonstafford]

So true man, lot of Yupi BS…

[@joebradford108]

Pure gold 🎉 I’ve lived this out for decades and I call it cliff jumping too. As an entrepreneur doing this repeatedly within my own company it works. My best staff do it too. Ted talk of the year? 🎉🎉🎉❤

[@user-gq5ns6dl4n]

Agreed! Great comment 🎉

[@vinaychakraborty8635]

Very few TED talks are relatable to practical life and this one surely is very relatable and practical. Good advice by the speaker.

[@aleksdeveloper698]

I changed 30 jobs until i understood i hated jobs and loved business

[@peterclow3829]

Took voluntary redundancy to pay off debt and start again. couldn't get another job.. not even mcd's. 20+ years later i can confirm im back on my feet again.. This cliff jumping is sound advice. Homelessness builds character.

[@mayibongwengcongo408]

😂

[@mellowvibes7625]

If it took 20+ years, it wasn't the cliff jump that caused this.

[@peterclow3829]

@@mellowvibes7625 .. the fact that it's not the only bad decision I've made doesn't alter cause & effect..

[@LieByOmmission]

This is the funniest comment ill ever read on the internet

[@NickM_FirstofHisName]

Sarcasm?

[@leapnlarry]

I had 2 cliff jumps in my 40 year medical device career that were not my choice, fired, but ended up being the best thing that could have happened to me, i look back and thank them for firing me, forced me to jump, and end up in a much better situation.

[@Uns46]

What did you find that’s better?

[@ramsyrama]

What did you find better?

[@ReadyDev-s2z]

sounds like you didn't jump, you were thrown

[@leapnlarry]

@ i spent the last 20 year of my career selling spine implants to neurosurgeons in the operating room, pay was great, straight commission, but challenging and interesting. Larry

[@ramsyrama]

@@leapnlarry Why complain

[@GianetanSekhon]

Wow, what a talk !!! I also jumped from a high and secure professional cliff, three years back. I have survived, yes...there are few broken bones, but the view ahead is a mix of both amazing and sometimes downright frightening.

[@AnalyticsSorcery]

OMG. this video is very inspirational. I had similar experience 2 years ago jumping off the cliff and struggling. But I managed to fly back to the sky again...this is the power of persistence

[@zerodegreescelsius]

Not a lot of people could afford to fail and start all over again in their late 30s or early 40s. If you have that opportunity, go for it.

[@Ap_twsh]

Nor should they depends on your circumstances

[@JustMe-zs4rg]

@@zerodegreescelsius and that s excactly the problem with this kind of advice. If you CAN afford to fail, then it s not a true risk/cliff. And If you CANNOT afford, you should do better, than to rely ob an internet video for your decision.

[@Blcktenure]

The meaning of this video is much deeper than thinking failure as an affordable measure in life where only those who can afford it should take the step to jump off the cliff. First of all, in this day and age, literally nothing is guaranteed for anyone from our health that has been sabotaged by the food and medical industries to the hours most of us must complete to make ends meet especially with a family to take care of. Deciding to jump off a cliff doesn't specifically mean to seek the deepest cliff to jump off. It only means that at some point if you don't decide to take some control over your life , all external situations will control your life. For example, for every day you spend at a job, you are not guaranteed a position at that current job forever. A business can go bankrupt at any stage, when this happens, won't you feel a bit more confident in yourself about the future if you had started working on a project that you are seeing through rather than suffer the situation and its further complications in your life? Why won't you try something out and see where it takes you? Don't you want to find out what you are able to do given the chance? Here is the wake up call, no one really cares so much about you to give you that chance. But we should all care about ourselves first of all.

[@MohanKrishna-m4f]

Many times we cant get luxury to do whatever we want. Always a chance to do something.... Or leaving

[@gecn9685]

Excuses excuses excuses.

[@Math-quiz-0]

"Success means Never having to wear a suit"😊😊

[@cameron8687]

Amen

[@sparkyplug28]

@@Math-quiz-0 I hate that quote because at a funeral…….

[@1s_that_a_j0j0_reference]

Could be a tech job or construction work at this point…

[@kkroyu]

When the pain of the same is worse than the pain of change❤

[@sanjoybiswas343]

Taking risk is a significant period of life

[@sparkyplug28]

This is a powerful message 2 and a half years ago I was still on the tools as an electrician had been for 6 years at the same place. I was offered a role managing build fabric on our hospital site a topic I knew nothing about Cliff 1. A year into that position I was doing very well despite a rough start a promotion was offered to me the problem it was managing water something I knew nothing about! Cliff number 2. Fast forward another year I’m the top performer in my office have a very deep understanding of water systems almost entirely self taught in one year. I’ve now be involved in the delivery of 2 off site locations that run under a fully managed contract meaning my role is almost entirely contract management you guessed it cliff number 3. To say it’s been hard would be an understatement I’ve lived and breathed work for the past 2 years to gain the knowledge required but the input and experience I’ve had has been fantastic throw yourself straight off that cliff if you think you can endure the hard landing

[@Experiments-Experiences]

Though i have lived a life if changes and jumping of cliffs myself at the international stage. I still think this talk is 'Survivorship bias'. Safety and Security in an uncertain world is very wildly different in different societies. Respecting the speaker and giving the benefit of doubt, I would sincerely want to know if these experiences come from a cross cultural shift? Any of the cliff jumps involved volunteering? Activism? An impact startup? Shifting country? The jumps are cool if you have a societal net below or a chord you hang by. They are a disaster and regret if you don't. So think through, think hard and be self aware before plunging.

[@thomashackett8538]

I worked at Facebook and took a risk inside Facebook?

[@cacurazi]

😂

[@BriggitteBuchanan]

I love this video. I have actually jump off the stairs my entire life; no regrets; the fear of not jumping was stronger than the stairs.

[@emmanuelameyaw9735]

Losers take risk too. If you take a risk, you either win or lose.

[@CraigMilesYoutube]

You never lose, you learn.

[@CrabbyE8]

Those who don’t like to fail, will always fail.

[@WAFishQuest]

​@@CraigMilesKZbin oh I lose all the time. Lolz (Just joshing)

[@arifhaque3075]

U ll never know who u r or what u r capable of, until u know how to try.

[@ST-rj8iu]

I needed this message right now.

[@user-gq5ns6dl4n]

This was a fantastic video! Super inspirational for the “fearful” peeps! Thank you!🙏

[@wizaaeed]

Presented to you by molly who was a stair climber all her life. Working for yourself means no money when you get a break, stop manipulating people, i prefer the ladder instead of staying hungry for 5 years before my littly business starts working & then i gotta make it work even harder to repay its loans🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@MrGaluhJP]

I don't think it's called pressure in corporate, but the ability to lower your ego and pride as low as possible in front bos and try your best to be liked, whatever it takes

[@6pvictor]

How fantastic! It’s been being my career since the beginning

[@re-think7693]

Jumped the cliff two weeks back, suprisinly found this video today.

[@Charlay_Charlay]

The corporate ladder is boring and limits your earning potential. It will make you feel successful but it wont give you that huge accomplishment feeling you feel when you take that risk. Great video. I plan to do the same next year.

[@eXclusive1]

I knew I weren’t going to get anywhere on the stairs. I should be head of department by now but you know how it is. Started my own app it’s currently offline but as soon as I get another contract I’m going all in.

[@svdfxd]

You are a great speaker!

[@ackimkawamya9246]

Started a new job in PE I feel so lost. But im getting better every day

[@grantmwansa2960]

Great stuff,done most of this and has worked perfectly.

[@-AkhilTej-]

🎯💎🏆 Great insightful & fruitful video 🏆💎🎯 लोकः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ( May all beings lead prosperous life across Globe 🌍 )

[@dreamkev]

On my second jump…..took my family with me! Tough but worth it!

[@Handleinthewind123]

Jumping off a cliff is very different to being dragged down and held back for years and then shoved off a cliff by coworkers or worse supposed mentors when the tide finally starts to turn

[@MrGaluhJP]

Yup, I am in this situation...

[@CrabbyE8]

Is this an argument for jumping, or not jumping? If that’s how others really feel, then be grateful that chapter is behind you and go create value for others. 😊

[@nixonanthony4812]

wonderful talk!!! glad to find that i'm not alone to take risk

[@seetukushwaha3362]

I am student of bcom government college ma'am 🙌 👉learning never stop, 👉 success,

[@sengs.4838]

Taking risks is not for everyone either , depends on personal history , background, personality. What are your dreams and what are you capable of . One thing stands at the end , don't think of what people would think if you fail , personally I don't care of that I don't need attention , just do it

[@WaqasMaliktheGreat]

I've been going through the same. Thank you for sharing. Thank you ted. today's work environment is very volatile, unpredictable. while the society I'm living is way behind in the still trying to live in the traditional way. and you have no option to be on your own, what's life giving to you. just maneuver through it. population growth is higher and there's a lot of confusion in todays rapidly changes environment.

[@wellbodisalone]

"You can't get anywhere in life without taking risks." - Esme Bianco

[@LăngKínhĐộngVật-vietnamese]

một nguồn cảm hứng, nhấn mạnh tầm quan trọng của việc chấp nhận rủi ro và phá vỡ các lối mòn truyền thống trong sự nghiệp. Graham khuyến khích người xem tập trung vào giá trị cá nhân, linh hoạt thích nghi và không ngại thử sức với những cơ hội mới, thay vì bị giới hạn bởi các quy tắc hay cấu trúc cứng nhắc. Thông điệp này rất phù hợp cho những ai muốn bứt phá và tạo dấu ấn riêng trong công việc.

[@nicolemiddleton4939]

Took a risk by moving to a different state to get a certain experience in tech. Got a government contract role and ended recently. If I obtain a role after earning a few certs then I solid agree, if not, then I would say taking risks only helps certain people..

[@robalexander2016]

I’m starting a business in a few weeks and I’m anxious for sure

[@sooma-ai]

Molly Graham argues that successful careers are built by taking risks, not climbing corporate ladders. She outlines three key skills for 'jumping off cliffs': actually taking the leap, surviving the fall, and becoming a professional idiot to enhance learning.

[@zm3248]

Love this! Really needed to hear this after my year

[@pul_360]

In addition to inspiring speech, i like the drawings in the presentation

[@ricksu123]

Thank you Molly!

[@KhanIELTSAcademy]

a truly insightful lecture n guidance

[@mollymo6229]

2:51 I mean you felt outsmarted because I’m sorry HR is not a talent driven operation. The best skill you need for HR is noisy and disloyal and appearing friendly and “people driven”

[@carolelmeer3470]

I agree at 72. Staying 17 for the rest of my life

[@drew.2030]

Needed to hear this 👏🏿

[@zeekay9941]

It’s not the cliff jumping that’s the issue. It’s the idea that jumping off a cliff is a necessity these days. There is nothing wrong with climbing the corporate ladder. The problem is climbing the ladder is now gate kept and going above and beyond doesn’t even give you an edge in trying to get a promotion these days never mind guaranteeing anything for you. Taking a risk used to be an option to try and excel. Not the means of survival. Labeling who is a winner and loser is terrible. You are not a loser for working a 9-5. If it puts food on your table, a roof over your head, and pays your bills, don’t let anyone discourage you from it. You can strive for something more, but do it from a place of optimism and confidence. Not because you think others are seeing you as a loser because you’re not.

[@Jazengamic]

in general whole scale yes they are infact a loser....life is a competition whether you like it or not....even in chess term...king is a winner and pawn is a loser...master is the winner and slave is the loser...owner is the winner and worker is the loser...in general leadership prove you're the winner in whole history of a mankind...people always credited the leader more than the followers. But for subjective? yes they are not a loser...subjective means even if you lose the game you still can think you win because you think you win...it means delusional

[@aneeshsharma6861]

I love you mam you are just soooo relatable to me

[@sngs9565]

Exactly! Success is about your own personal definition! These days Success is equated with MONEY, which is inaccurate!

[@hemantchambhare60]

The graph at 3:42 is similar to cup and handle pattern in stock prices

[@hassanzaid5060]

I love this! Great talk

[@BrettMifsud]

Trying a new role or secondment inside a company is not taking a risk. It’s broadening your skillset. Taking a risk is quitting being an employee and starting a business. There’s a big difference knowing nothing but being paid anyway, vs knowing nothing and having no income

[@AwomKenneth]

great talk!

[@TheNeighborhoodAdjuster]

There is no risk in taking a job that you’d be paid more that 99% of Americans. 3:07

[@eipechacko4344]

Insightful key things about being willing to ask seemingly stupid questions also in order to learn and grow at work

[@andrescarranza53]

This!... Wow, what a speech!!!

[@OhNoNotAgain42]

Losers ALSO take risks. That’s why they lost. You have to win MORE than you lose. Taking risks that are beyond your abilities is a sure way to lose. Taking calculated risks that you understand and have reduced as much as humanly possible is how you get ahead.

[@katarzynapiekarniak4871]

Merci pour ce ted !!! Merci merci !

[@curtismoxam5382]

I've never seen anyone advance without taking a chance. Ever.

[@Hamari_Lori]

I jumped down the cliff... A very very high cliff of being a successful surgeon... The landing was not good at all .. a lot of damage and struggle in life later... Sometimes I wonder was it really worth the effort?? Or the whole concept of struggling for victory is intended to promote growth and consumption whereas on the contrary the real purpose of life should be satisfaction and gratitude

[@CHANTI8947]

5:55 that's me exactly!

[@gthakur17]

For every 1 succesaful guy who took risk there are 100 others who took risk and failed. I dont buy these argume t who use 1 point to attribute to success. Can we say everyone who goes to epstein island is successful and rich

[@Jakefromstatefarm56503]

Whered u get that data? Also why did those people fail? Did you look at the common denominators of the people who failed?

[@dammy_tv]

​@@Jakefromstatefarm56503 True, you made sense

[@JustMe-zs4rg]

It s called survivorship bias. Only the ones who succeeded are talked about.

[@GabStLaurent]

Trial and error.

[@noorullah3435]

At last he wins if he continues struggling

[@theartofchef]

I am a professional idiot too 😅 6:56

[@baoluu3122]

You dont chosse the job, the job chosse you

[@NdifrekeabasiUmoh-rc8wq]

This is an interesting take 😅

[@sundas-warsi]

Thats incredible! Strongly agree.

[@heisenbergjk3557]

Amazing

[@LonzoTheWeekendWeeb]

Needed this

[@Nikita_Andreyev]

Here is example of survivor mistake in this video.

[@markuslandington2593]

The top performers in jobs are the most miserable and unbalanced people, who are obligated to their job because of the tremendous amount of debt they have taken on in loans, mortgages etc, through the illusion they carry that hard work = financial security.

[@yagrauff9311]

Alex Cooper (interviewer + SIRIUS talkshow [next]), said in a recent interview of her (paraphrase) own life, that a person can lead in their life with the self advantage of a highly understood emotional IQ, not, per se, a degree of this or that, in such a social(ized) world. Truer today than ever before, as even her 175 million contract deal supports, concerning her actually having the chops to stand out and deliver...Which, she will...I mean: We're talking about a 175 million clams here....🙂

[@KD0MOO]

I already KNOW that I want to do. I change my mind cause I wasn’t given a proper chance

[@jackylukewarm3257]

Hmmm... Whatever lady... Promoting idiocy... I, on the other side, stand with the brilliant people in the room ✊🏻

[@flyflybaby2723]

She is fucking amazing!

[@talhamazhar4785]

When you said "I'm sorry if it's a dumb question..." You're actually showing your weaker side and that you're not confident enough. Isn't this a negative aspect when it comes to confidence?

[@beliverfaith4766]

Money is not everything but everything need money

[@jessehodgesgolf]

She’s like if I speak really slowly I might be able to turn this bad boy into ten minutes 😂

[@NgânNgân-n9i]

is this also true w students?

[@dino56ac49]

Well taking risks would be less scary if consequences weren't so terrible. It's almost as if there were a system in place to keep everyone on their underpaid ladder, crazy!

[@mercantilism954]

What does she actually mean by jumping off a cliff? Does she mean to take risks like changing a job or career or getting promotions?

[@jonr6680]

Don't need to watch, I know the very predictable punchline. Lame talk of every wannabe or armchair expert ever. It's the same trope as the Hollywood movie, the Greek myths & every hero story ever told. It's fiction. You can't MAKE luck.

[@nosam1998]

You’re right, you can’t make luck alone. HOWEVER, you’re guaranteed to fail if you never try. Let’s say you walk up to a roulette table, you tell your friend you want to put money on a certain number, but you are hesitant and don’t play. Then the number you called actually hits, and you’re bitter. This is exactly what entrepreneurs do. Yes, luck is involved, but you’ll never win if you refuse to play.

[@oculusisnevesis5079]

This talk is for people on the bottom 75%

[@roberthorvat9347]

Money is not made on 9-17 job

[@paulhurst4445]

The majority of risk-takers (gamblers) fail their entire lives. There are no videos addressing this problem. How about showing the risk/reward problem, and the fact that luck plays an outsized roll in success . The media only talks about the minority of winners. Being born into wealth gives you an automatic leg up, and easier entry into Ivy-League universities. The Royals don't take risks, and they did not earn their wealth. But you should still buy Graham's book that she is selling on TED.

[@dimon.digital]

In "Indiana Jones - The Last Crusade" it has been called - Leap of Faith

[@viswanathnaidu8213]

5:55 that's me

[@mensworldrul]

Not all risks are worth taking.

[@FitnessHealthDiary40]

Great ❤

[@celestialcircledance]

How about a bunny slope for the rest of us? I'm more practical than aspirational in terms of keeping the lights on and food in my belly and not about to quit my day job!

[@jamesscarr3372]

9mins of survivorship bias

[@nelsonthekinger]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@muhammadfadhilkhair]

What about if u never had that first 9 month?

[@SLApple-hp9ed]

In Taiwan, there is one winner for every 1,000 losers. The winner, such as TSMC, is exploiting others in my homeland. This reflects the hierarchical world we have now.

[@anaderol5408]

Absolutely! If you’re not flying by the seats of your pants and the learning curve is not perpendicular then you’re stagnating. 😂❤. No - questions are never dumb - DUMB people DON’T ask questions.

[@sandeshupreti6600]

You can apply this philosophy to lots of things …

[@DenizFirat-r2y]

ebook Magnetic Aura by Takeshi Mizuki shows how to break free, but most people don’t even try