Ricardo Semler: Radical wisdom for a company, a school, a life

What if your job didn’t control your life? Brazilian CEO Ricardo Semler practices a radical form of corporate democracy, rethinking everything from board meetings to how workers report their vacation days (they don’t have to). It’s a vision that rewards the wisdom of workers, promotes work-life balance - and leads to some deep insight on what work, and life, is really all about. Bonus question: What if schools were like this too?
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[@Crojach]

I watched this video a few years ago and the quote "If you are giving back, you took too much" stuck with me for all these years. It's really something that I tried to live by ever since. One of the best talks I have listened to ever.

[@trinidadraj152]

It's funny that this man would be considered "crazy" or even "radical." The wisest are deemed fools by those who don't yet understand. Food for thought.

[@plagueangel761]

Trinidad Molina "Here's to the crazy ones..." ;)

[@powrable]

Hahahahahaha

[@SebHemond]

"If you're giving back, you took too much"

[@megamax888]

This is definitely one of the most incredible talks ever. Many more than 100 000 people need to watch this talk.

[@gninja92]

I am Max unfortunately miley cyrus is more interesting, then worrying about our future.

[@gninja92]

I am Max and most parents/ managers do nto have the "time" or care to watch this. the ones that many, may not be in a position to do anything about it. like who exactly is going to put this stuff into motion?

[@tomcummings3471]

I was gonna say much the same thing, this is profound, I've been sharing it around the fb political debate scene, and I hope it catches on quick

[@dcupmusic]

+I am Max 2 million have watched it on the TED website

[@zes7215]

no such thing as incredibx or not about it, wrg, no such thing as know or not, doesn't matter, teach, express any nmw and any be perfect. alsox knx infinitly any nmw, googx doesn't matter

[@devonseamoor]

I'm so excited about what Ricardo Semler presents here. It's about throwing the applecart in a good way, letting go of fossilized paradigms and habits deep in the groove. I'm practicing this in my life and once I told a director of a husbandry school, a project with land, goats, hens, and people who volunteer on the land with organic crops "I'm happy to throw the applecart when there's rotten apples in it" She laughed heartily, for she's that sort of rebel too. Thank you Ricardo! For stepping in as a trailblazer. Applause.... applause...

[@fmlAllthetime]

This is philosophy in practice. The ethical kind as well, with the insight to have enjoyment along with it. His style of thinking about the long term goal, and not just the immediate picture, is what takes the cake in the long run. This is how you win a chess game.

[@640A]

''If you're giving back...you took to much'' nail it ;)

[@MisterFa89]

Really a great speech! Just a minor suggestion for who, as me, has been inspired by this talk: "What for? ...it is right to ask this question and we probably should do it more often. But don't get stuck, try to not overthink it, just do something! You need to move to change direction. So avoid to be stuck and try to explore your passions, and even if you don't have one... just do something, it is not being stuck that you will change your position!" Cheers guys!

[@ChispyReddit]

"what am i doing this for?" This question seems so simple, but becomes deep and profound when put from the perspective of this man.

[@philipgordon2549]

His words take the stress out of work expectation.

[@shreyasraut6224]

what a beautiful soul he is... hats off for keeping his intergrity intact for so long.. Amazing...

[@jordansmith9984]

I am blown away by the brilliance of this man, but I think his talk boils down to one very simple idea which is: don't be afraid to do the things no one else is doing.

[@yupt8705]

I wish I had seen this speech 5 years ago. This is very inspiring, thought-provoking, and encouraging.

[@bell_eau]

"If you feel like you have to give back, you've probably taken too much in the first place." Main takeaway: Provide people the power to influence their autonomy so that their intrinsic motivation to learn and share increases.

[@memolano100]

This is my favorite TED Talk. So practical, so down to earth.

[@gpligor]

Skim reading all the comments in this video I am surprised in a pleasant way that there is nobody disproving him for the moment. So if this is for real my true reaction is sadness. Sadness because I have yet to meet an entrepreneur from close who would be in practice, even a little bit, close to these values. ...

[@devonseamoor]

You can start by being such an entrepreneur, George Pligor. Small steps count.

[@lcclui]

A very meaningful speech. In fact, I do have my own answer for 'why do we exist' or in other words, 'what is the meaning of life'. And trust me, the answer is not merely 'because I want to be happy, or famous'.

[@MrAbhin619]

The greatest of teachers don't teach what to see, they guide where to look for.. He made everyone of us to think more than giving some inspiration.

[@rchocolate4739]

Best TED talk so far, in my opinion! I'm a middle schooler and would love to sit down and have a conversation with him about public schools and why they haven't taken on his methods.

[@rudyvp]

This talk strucked me, brought me to tears as it went to a close with Mr. Semler's statement to start NOW. I did not know why but I was deeply moved by this talk. 👍

[@karinaroglio840]

Assistindo esse video voltei 30 anos quando cursava administracao e o Ricarco Semler se tornou uma referencia. Inclusive fizemos uma visita de alunos na SEMLER e fomos recebidos pessoalmente por ele. Fantastico saber da sua trajetoria!!! Continua sendo uma inspiracao!!!

[@DiogoVKersting]

Wow this videos surprised me in a good way. I'm Brazilian and I've never heard of him before.

[@DiogoVKersting]

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out.

[@roser.]

Nem eu!! o.O

[@zanetti2009]

O livro tem o título original: VIRANDO A PRÓPRIA MESA. Ricardo mesmo depois de mais de 20 anos ter escrito esse livro continua a ser um visionário. Que bom que ele continua pregando ...kkkk

[@RodolphoPajuaba]

Mário Zanetti A partir da segunda parte do video ele esta se referindo mais ao seu segundo livro, "Você Está Louco", onde ele discorre sobre essa experiência.

[@davidfonetti2159]

Commenting for the algorithm .... and not only. Personally, for me... more and more people NEED to see this. Hear this... And definitely read the book of Ricardo Semler - MAVERICK. It's an exceptional book. It has so much POWER in it. I read it every day... it's like a Bible to me, and no, I'm not messing with you... this is not a joke... the book is THAT good. Thanks for reading... have a great day.

[@hermanbuyle8808]

I have seen this several times..he is my guru ..I have tried to do this ideas in Yogyakarta Indonesia at our own Guesthouse. Thanks for sharing your knowledge Richardo semler

[@florzinnha]

His English is so good.

[@2TimeShift]

Great thinker and speaker. He shakes up common misconceptions. Even if he is not completely correct, he is open minded and we need new approaches. I would like to hear more from this innovator.

[@bialekthomas]

Wow truly inspirational and outside the box thinking!! The world needs more of these 'radical' thinkers who question not only some parts of society but also society as a whole in order to keep innovating and enable our humam race to grow! Nothing but pure respect for this guy!

[@bwpow]

I felt truly inspired by this talk. Thank you.

[@DrewHuangLiangHui]

This talk is amazing. We just need to have an open mind. Too often, we define success as "rich & powerful" which is alright if that's your goal. But wouldn't it be better if we can succeed and slow things down and focus on what we really want? Excellence & building up your character should be our lifelong goals for each of our own lives.

[@zanetti2009]

Ricardo começou essa pregação com o lançamento do livro VIRANDO A PRÓPRIA MESA. Que pena que continue a pregar... Que bom que continue a pregar...

[@nickthiru]

I read "Maverick" in 1998 and was blown away! This man is the greatest business leader ever, period. It's a pity that likes of him are not put up on the pedestal the way steve jobs, elon musk, etc. are. Leaders like Ricardo are what the business world needs. A lot of companies nowadays attempt to be more democratic and also like to tell the world how great they are because of that. But Ricardo and Semco have been doing these things decades ago, and in way more radical way!

[@recahable]

I think this is the greatest TED talk ever

[@nonelost1]

An "Anchor of past achievements" can be just as much a cross to bear as a "I must achieve X before I die for that is my purpose!" = "Anchor of future achievement".

[@stve01]

This man is my hero.

[@onesi376]

2021, i know this video right from the start and still coming back for it. best ted talk ever!

[@allansoso2010]

Excelente. O Ricardo Semler é um dos caras que mais admiro.

[@StevenRosario2025]

Man.. The first 5 minutes or so runs RIGHT along with what Simon Sinek speaks on. I LOVE it!!!!

[@VictorEstevesCastro]

Ricardo Semler is probably the most underrated entrepreneur of our time.

[@graziavita6327]

Fantastic lecture. Thank you Ricardo Semler.

[@chuckarneson8296]

Trust is as liberating and empowering as control is fleeting and many times an illusion.

[@charltonhr1983]

I really enjoyed this talk, I read Maverick 25 years ago and was inspired by the ideas there. It's great to see him as enthusiastic for change as ever. I'm looking forward to reading his latest book.

[@shreyasraut6224]

what a beautiful soul he is... hats off for keeping his integrity intact for so long.. Amazing...

[@edwinthomas5070]

Wow! Wish I could work at his company! What a great entrepreneur and person!

[@rsjoshica]

Ricardo is my favourite always.. he is maverick and i loved his books.. but the thought of today may not be valid tomorrow.. it is about evolution and transformation. though i might not completely agree to his schooling thoughts but i strongly agree to his way of trying, different thoughts and his ability to transform..

[@pacnite]

What an amazing man

[@augustobu3no]

This is the first talk I would give a lot more than just one like.

[@costhaparanhos]

EXCELENTE... ADMIRO O AUTOR DESDE O "VIRANDO A PRÓPRIA MESA". PARABÉNS.

[@AnitShrestha]

"Sharing as you go" - Great quote :) Thanks for the speech!

[@2LegHumanist]

Read his book "Maverick" in the mid-1990s. Inspiring stuff.

[@jamaalpenn5167]

BLOWN AWAY.

[@AlexeyIskrov]

Very profound. It's getting really intersting towards the middle of the speach.

[@karihakala577]

This is an interesting thought. In europe the education thought me to ask this with everything, so i would grow and learn more. After coming to Asia and following the same pattern for a year it did not get me anywhere. It was because ppl just smile at you and carry on what they were doing or they did not know the answer to the question because nobody told them. Its the complete opposite, In my experience if you ask questions ppl think that you are weird and make it harder to find the answer.

[@devonseamoor]

I think I understand what you're saying here, Kari Hakala. By leaving my country of birth, Holland, completing almost 5 years living in Britain, I've learned the value of asking questions and open-mindedness. Which is a normal thing to do in Holland. In Britain it's like an inkwell fallen, spreading all over the place slowly, with the inhibition, the fear for speaking out and asking questions, plus a fast growing consumerism on all levels, and a very limited awareness of the world at large, a poor education system also, that is bringing this not so United Kingdom to the edge of a cliff, with Brexit in tow. The final push or a return to sanity?

[@RiteshManTamrakar]

I liked the talk. It is very interesting. My first reaction is "Is it really happening in this world?" Following points i liked most in the talk: 1) Selecting Leaders by subordinates vote. 2) Employee managing themselves not by hr. 3) Suggesting to teach about love, death, what really matters in school. 4) Make think "Why are we here?" Another question my mind right now is "Where can i found more about is working and teaching methods?". At one point he said he wrote some books. What are those?

[@devonseamoor]

Yes, it is happening, Ritesh Man Tamrakar. Watch the video "Regreening the planet" published by VPRO KZbin channel. My favorite Dutch mediagroup. Just google this man's name in the Amazon books page, and you'll find his books

[@derksenmartijn]

He wrote several books: Maverick and the seven day weekend are the most prominent. The're a great read!

[@anitasanches5726]

My god!!!Thank you for the inspiration!!!

[@jandroid33]

"If you're giving back, you took too much." So simple. Otherwise it's like stealing with one hand, and giving a little bit back with the other. Giving back stolen goods is not being a hero. Asking "why" three times and we see that we can't answer even that. So we might as well continue with our stealing contest, because that is our tradition...

[@eMarketEducationBengaluru]

Great speech!

[@quixotic7]

I wish my daughter has the opportunity to grow up in a world informed by your view.

[@tbayley6]

Make it so for her, as far as you can.

[@mohannadsharrouf]

This is very nice talk, I think the futur will be different. the way we look at work will be different.

[@DinamikaSoe]

This will eventually future of all!

[@ZestAndGlow]

wow, this man is amazing

[@armitra]

Now that's an idea worth sharing. Maverick!

[@tiddlewink101]

Great talk

[@PeterVanKeer]

I'd love to know if someone knows some books about this subject? This is really amazing. Great talk... should've been watched millions of times!

[@MarianaRego]

Hey Peter, Ricardo has some books which you can get on Amazon. Also, I'm going to be hosting a webinar about his management practices this Thursday - join us! www.semco.style

[@isaac0380]

so fantastic speech. he broke the common sense I had ever had

[@devonseamoor]

I guess you mean that your consensus reality was broken? For what Ricardo is presenting is 100% coming from the use of common sense, as I see it.

[@mudit5151]

if this talk doesn't get the highest views, this channel is not getting managed properly..

[@devonseamoor]

I'm afraid that it's the moral values of many of our fellow human beings that aren't managed properly, Mudit Gupta.

[@mithulanaik8118]

Facilitating original minds..

[@Hombolicious]

Great Ted Talk, saved it to my best Ted talks.

[@adamhanly5250]

I love the part "if you're giving back, then you took too much"

[@scorpiusroja11]

Excellent. It’s a fucking shame that this isn’t the way all corporations operate. It would make then more money! No infrastructure costs, better talent recruitment, more talent retention, less management costs, more structural flexibility, constant dynamic restructuring.....it’s a lack of corporate imagination leaving money and the viability of many businesses on the line.

[@remixandkaraoke]

WONDERFUL!

[@AnimeshSharma1977]

"The opposite of work is idleness. But very few of us know what to do with idleness... how many people do you know who on their death beds said, boy, I wish I had spent more time at the office?" i guess deep down we all know this, but afraid to face it ;)

[@ShashiS]

I have loved reading his books... Maverick and 7 day weekend. Good to get in touch with his thoughts again... __ Shashi ॐ नमः शिवाय Om Namah Shivaya

[@willem-janvos7938]

In the book “Maverick” Ricardo Semler discusses the success story behind the world’s most unusual workplace: Semco. Semler does things different than organizations that rely on traditional autocratic management style. Semler chose a decentralized participative style. According to Semler, the era of power and control is definitely over. Freedom and taking responsibility are the core values of Semco. This involves capitalizing on common values such as love, trust and transparancy. The following blog (with infographic) explains the story of Semler in more detail: visueelhr.wordpress.com/2016/12/03/vision-of-semco-style/

[@devonseamoor]

Yes, I agree with Ricardo's view that the era of power and control is over. Look at all the little flames burning in our world, where people begin to stand up for themselves, asking questions. Such as Jordy Zwarts does in Holland. Are you Dutch? Projects of regreening the desert, organic farming and Japanese youngsters moving to the countryside, building communities, creating a sustainable lifestyle, a future for their children. Besides, the protests in the streets all over the world are a sign of establishments toppling over, in slow motion.

[@pbetak]

Beautiful mind! Loved the talk.

[@niory]

i want him as my boss !!!!!!

[@monseboomt]

Yes 😮

[@richardbritain2680]

Ricardo is Genius. Although a humble Genius. He "should" be more famous than Jobs, Buffett and Gates combined. The Semco principles are the ONLY way to run a company in the 21st Century. Absolutely no question. I have used these principles for the last 8 years and we have already launched a Multi-Billion Dollar project on EXACTLY SAME principles. If you want to run a successful business, adopt these principles. It really is as simple as that.

[@alexeyb5830]

Есть книги и исследования на данную тему ; есть компании, которые внедряют идеи Рикардо. Все это говорит о том, что это работает. Но. Менеджерам не выгодно внедрять эти идеи. Менеджер думает только о том, как усидеть на своем кресле. А эти идеи: 1) уменьшают власть менеджера 2) могут привести к тому, что вырастит сотрудник, которые заменит менеджера 3) могут привести к сокращению менеджера. Во всяком случае, так работает на постсоветском пространстве. На постсоветском пространстве менеджер: царь и бог, милует и казнит, интригует и тешит свое эго. Фильтр между собственником и сотрудниками.

[@hollywoodkidd2002]

Jaden Smith sent me here. Glad he did. Amazing perspective.

[@homo_faber_et_artifex]

Ricardo Semler is the greates entrepreneur, See: Bombała, B. (2014). Phenomenology as the Epistemological and Methodological Basis of Management Sciences, International Journal of Contemporary Management, 1, 150-172.

[@TheProrok72]

Чёртов гений! Спасибо!!!

[@metromelody18]

Three whys in a row on the Bible. The first why you always have a good answer for. The second why it starts getting difficult, by the third why you don't know why you're doing what you're doing.

[@TheKanakusumoto]

really worth wathing..

[@vivekkumar3333]

Nice

[@thearchibaldtuttle]

If i had the same financial security as he has I would be at the beach every day. however, i fully agree with him.

[@ertzor]

good guy

[@romanszumski6377]

Robert Ouimet presented similar philosophy of management.

[@MegaRonnie94]

REALLY LIKED UR THOUGHTS AND ENDING QUESTION -"WHY DO WE EXIST"?

[@monyroath]

What kind of organizational culture is advocated by Mr. Ricardo Semler in his company Semco? (I need answer ASAP)

[@selecter1622]

I can sympathize with you.

[@AA-ul9qh]

Clearly, Richard has never been a teacher, though! L of the flies, through & through! & At every level!

[@Zentaurus21Blogspotr08m1n]

real rad!

[@Kcinhayres]

what is the ''group in Holland with 600 companies..'' he mentions??????

[@jackieolley6140]

Most certainly radical to the "protestant" work ethic. But how liberating if only we could let go.

[@tbayley6]

We can, if we stop holding on to dead ideas. Imagine you had 10 seconds to live: What would be most valuable to you? My answer would be my love. At one time my answer was nothing at all. Whatever it is, that is the most important thing in your life. Don't hold on to anything else - all the substitutes are dead. Even if this leaves you with nothing, somehow your honesty will eventually reveal something valuable.

[@tbayley6]

Reading what I just wrote, it sounds daft. But seriously, it's so easy to assume there must be value in practices that are suffocating and dead.

[@semcostyleinstituteusa]

Interested in Semler's approach to business? Check out the upcoming live events, certification programs and consulting services at semcostyle.us/events/

[@semcostyleinstituteusa]

Interested in Semler's approach to the future of work? Check out the upcoming live events, certification programs and consulting services at @t We are the official representers of Ricardo Semler in the USA.

[@Kobe29261]

How is a man so wise? Ever? About EVERYTHING!?

[@xena8_8]

Anogoya Dagaati in his book Maverick he quotes Aristotle: Thinking requires leisure time

[@busehamurcu77]

cool

[@SHasanatanomickitten]

I want to work for him!

[@Zepherian]

And he would probably say: don't work for me, that will create too much hassle and I'm not currently building any pyramids. Do you want to work for yourself in our business model? If yes, try it out for x days.

[@jandroid33]

***** I have an idea. We could build pyramids! Do you think I can work for myself in that business model and put my focus on pyramid building? Trying that out for x days?

[@SHasanatanomickitten]

***** true!.. I am in all honestly really confused by the model. But he inspired me!

[@tinchex2946]

9:30 educacion

[@kerrithking3084]

I love everything except "anonomous evaluations." Mo betta the agreement be open, honest, and spontaneous communication, no significant withholds. Flatten each upset/incomplete as it comes up/soonest; rather than drag it around until evaluation time.