Rethinking failure: Barbara Corcoran at TEDxBarnardCollege

In her TEDxBarnardCollege talk, Barbara Corcoran
kicks off the day with her personal, first hand experience of embracing failure and re-imagining what it has meant for her own path to success.
Barbara Corcoran's credentials include straight D's in high school and college and twenty jobs by the time she turned twenty-three. It was her next job that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country when she took a $1000 loan to start The Corcoran Group. As one of the "Sharks" on ABC's hit TV show, SHARK TANK, Barbara has ponied up her own money and invested in more than a dozen businesses, competing to make those deals for all to see, then shepherding them to success.
The Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College was proud to host a diverse and talented line up of speakers who shared their stories of resilience and failure. www.TEDxBarnard...
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[@Damienahughes]

I failed at something today. I searched "failure" on KZbin and found this. Barb you cut my "feel sorry for myself" time by 90%. thank you

[@missmirusrobinson6913]

Same here man

[@cocolopez7438]

I'm you today. I hope all been doing great for you!

[@fernandaespana8647]

Same

[@zackfix9828]

Me too.

[@rimakalita3560]

Same here!

[@riffmaj7]

It's always inspiring to hear success stories from people who have failed, not once or twice, but many.

[@modernmarvel]

What type of badassery is this?!? This woman is a fucking legend! She's proof that when you fall forward you will always have a cushion underneath waiting for you.

[@danielraypickrel4316]

thanks

[@mackss9468]

I just failed something I had been working towards for five years. Watching this really helped. I feel ready to try again for the sixth year! Thank you!

[@apuloshohe]

I dunno what u r upto but my guts instinct told me that what ever you are upto it's gonna work out at the end . and if incase u sees this comment then i want you to feel at ease and clap for yourself saying “I am grateful and thankful to myself" .. have a good life ahead wherever it may lead to .....

[@DazelleSteele]

"...let's hear it for rejection!" Love this speech Barbara. You are a natural storyteller and motivator. Thank you for this speech. It is very insightful and motivational. I needed to hear it. I appreciate you!

[@InvestWithOlivier]

I've failed more this year than in any other year. It's been hard. I've lost so much but at the same time gained so much and learnt so much about myself. I've been an emotional yo yo. Elated one minute. Rock bottom the next. But it's strangely been the best year of my life just because I have learnt so much..

[@daralillyluchen3722]

Olivier - Life Hack Training can definitely relate to the emotional rollercoaster. 99% of time it makes us stronger and better people.

[@vladimirputin583]

Good luck

[@rnopes21]

Same here sir.

[@yesdraka]

Wow! Yes!

[@josiahamaze]

Same this last year for me

[@ItsFairyNecessary]

I failed today. I often beat myself up about messing up because I can’t see past it. I love being good at things. I love succeeding. I have this irrational fear of embarrassment. I don’t want to be bad at anything. But I have the slightest bit of optimism that I will overcome.

[@JousefM]

I actually wanted this talk to go five times longer. Barbara is a damn good speaker!

[@monicaheyden]

Barbara--as a woman entrepreneur who's on her 4th business, you are one of my biggest heroes. Thanks so much for sharing your story.

[@keabonhall2436]

Have you learned that you’re really bad at it yet?

[@logielleEntiopya]

​​​@@keabonhall2436 You do not even know her, it makes no sense to assume that a stranger person cannot be competent at something.

[@VanessaLeevl]

This is exactly what we ALL need to hear.

[@LazyChristy]

What a beautiful speech and what an empathetic woman. I'm at a time where I'm feeling like a failure because I don't have a university education at nearly 25 when all the other people I went to school with are successful working people, and everyone just seems so much better off than me. I have to thank depression and failure too though because without them I don't think I would be as much of a sympathetic person as I am today. Funnily enough failure has also taught me to get up and not give up either so I'm working on my education now. This speech has reminded me that and I will try to keep on that track. Thank you so much for this!

[@devorahfriedlander9139]

"Let's hear it for rejection!" -my new motto :)

[@brianstacync]

Barbara is awesome!! A real person, no BS.

[@user-zh6gv2mh9l]

When ur heroes become ur rivals u know u made it

[@invizibleinfluence]

Failure is the greatest teacher and molder of #greatness. It's a #principle I've come to embrace!

[@Bill-lt5qf]

Very optimistic woman. Good on her

[@hungrydan]

WOW, I love Barbara even more now. Thx Barbara! I just went through a lot of racial discrimination and flat out persecution in China for teaching jobs simply because I didn't look the part or because I am a Christian. Your email that you sent really inspired me. Keep up what you're doing, Barbara!

[@jawwadmehmood9944]

I continue to take xanax everyday because I live with depression. I have turned my back on passion. I don’t know why I am writing this here. Barbara you are an inspiration. And I hope at some point I can be passionate again. Thank You.

[@STARTtoSOLD]

I love Barbra for her vulnerability - beautiful, inspiring and badass.

[@nelsonmartinez2420]

Thanks. I needed to see that!!! I will not allow to feel sorry too long

[@shadowproductions9825]

nelson martinez amen!!! Thank u I needed. To see ur comment and this video too

[@daralillyluchen3722]

The difference between a master and a novice is that: a master has failed more times!!!!!

[@bobthorlton5207]

The rejection's sharpened your insights to oppertunity by understanding how the molecules vibrate in our universe. You possess the spirit that binds us all together.

[@cookedbyjackie]

Rejection and Failure are hard for anyone to swallow and no matter how many times we fail, we must get up again. This is very difficult to do but she just explained that it is the key to success--to fail.

[@ElenaWilkins]

The more I hear this woman speak, the more I respect and love her. Thank you , Barbara!

[@Darsy369]

one of the best ted talks I've seen.

[@Divine-vg7qg]

I failed my forensic psychology TMA and i started off great in the beginning and kept failing all the way through but now i researched you barbara and realised im awesome at failure and thats actually something im good at! Which im ok with, before that i done my acting degree got to my BA honours and then failed my masters but then went onto study this course im currently doing ...if i keep failing im bound to succeed, wherever life may take me... thank you🙏🎉

[@ashleylove6840]

Today I failed at something and the quote " Reward efforts more than results" Just made me see everything in a different light. First it inspires me to try harder and if I fail just to get back up and try harder. :) Thank you so much, you made my day and this week. I felt horrible but now I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulder.

[@Mia-ei4mh]

Wow this is gorgeous 🍀 I failed major academic entrance exams but I'm still standing, proof rejection is redirection.

[@dancingbirds6088]

I really appreciate the honesty about her feelings and her humility to mention she had financial help to start her own business, (compared to other "self-made" people). Makes you feel inspired but human at the same time

[@lisawilliams1746]

I love this! I recruit restaurant managers in Mississippi, and this video hits home with me, we fail everyday, but we get back up and go back at it, my word is "Next"... we cannot get bogged down in the No's.

[@santalos5]

Guys this is about Barbara Corcoran. Please google how a man returned to an emptied out home after 2-month hospital stay for COVID. This lady and her team assumed he was going to die so they rented out his apartment and sold all his stuff, and they said its because its a "health hazard" which is a complete BS excuse. They didnt sell his piano but I assure you they tried to sell it on craiglist.

[@geraldinemcdonald5355]

Good for you Barbara. You are a very strong woman.

[@evofit85]

In a dark time at moment....talks such as these are very inspiring. Thanks from a baby shark

[@CLR38]

You are a genius!!!! And yes, a ginormous inspiration as well!!!

[@taxwme]

Nice talk, to comment on the last note you can expect rejection but dont ever accept it

[@mdawes101]

Great words from a great woman.

[@ericthuku6087]

Great motivation for me this Monday, when I'm feeling like crap. Love it!

[@RyanMiller_InChrist]

Great talk Barbara. You are very inspiring.

[@mmm4638]

just wow when i saw her on shark tank 30secs i knew shes a BOSS! and now it gets better, such an inspiration, failure road to success

[@LovelyVanessa01]

Barbara for president

[@icedcoldkilla]

she'd be out before she even went in.

[@ThuyNguyen-bu9ge]

Great talk, because anybody can succeed given everything - right family, right guidance, right school, country, time, etc. But who are those who can succeed when there is hardship, pain, tears, and failure after failure after failure ... I will. How about you?

[@dualshock4873]

How much money you make in a year now?

[@MetteC5]

Dualshock Do you only measure success in money? I turned down extremely well-paid jobs to be a success in my life, which, to me, is being the best at who I am and doing the best I can with who I am. It's a never ending process, so I never consider that I've reached some goal - or, rather, the goal is in the process.

[@LazyChristy]

You are very very right in that.... my life has been so different from everybody else's, growing up in poverty, around alcoholics and drug addicts, in an abusive home, moving about and sleeping on the streets and working as a child... then getting adopted, then moving from country to country with only my workaholic dad, never being able to find my ground... yet I'm still here and fighting. What you wrote helped me a lot and gave me even more determination. Thank you.

[@alanwalk9084]

She's incredible, I love Barbara!!!!

[@josephholdman1037]

Thank You! Barb for being a great realtor.

[@mad-cyantist3159]

I love her Humour, she seems like a very fun person to be around.

[@YatHSo-ds6no]

Doesn't get any more real than this. She is my idol.

[@souvikkundu]

Her message really uplifted me big time. This was desperately needed. Thank you Barbara!

[@gr82bloved43]

This years resolution 2021... learning to fail forward 👍😉 This will be a new beginning for me !! Wish me luck ! When things start happening I’ll come back with stories 😊

[@vin0143]

Barbara is Iconic.

[@misj604]

Amazing talk Barbara. A lot of people take failure like a ton of brick that it take them so long to recover and pick up the pieces and start again. Very enlightening. Thank you.

[@MartinTothSK]

Oh man I love this woman. Keep rocking woman.

[@bludovegville]

I love the lessons she shares. I recently read her biography and it was inspiring. Now when I encounter an obstacle or failure I am reminded of how she failed and came out of it... that every rejection / failure was an opportunity to get back up again.

[@haman7227]

My business closed due to COVID last year, but having “failed” many times in my past, I started an online business and now I have a home-business that is doing better than my previous business. I have always lived with idea that ‘what ever happens, sooner or later it turns out, it was the best that could have happened to us’ Believe in yourself

[@HockeyAdvice]

She has the Best Business Advice of anyone I've seen!

[@aldoluvs]

You're an amazing woman Barbara! Thank you!

[@jodydougherty7764]

Barbara, I did not read until the 3rd grade as well...May I be a success and mentor like you to those who continue to see themselves as failures vs human.....Many thanks!!!!!

[@gemimaespinoza6119]

Absolutely love her. What a strong woman ❤️

[@howardkoor2796]

Her book " Use What You’ve Got" Barbara shares her hilarious stories about growing up, getting into trouble, failing miserably, and then starting over again. In each chapter, she comes back to one of her mom’s unconventional lessons, and how it applies in the real world of business. Whatever your calling, the homespun lessons that work for Barbara will help you use what you've got to create success in your life.

[@MelissaReynoldsLawrence]

I'm just about to finish it. It's amazing!

[@nonhlanhlapreciousRadebe]

Thank you Barbara for the inspiring talk. I would like to be an enterpreneur but I dont know if any of my ideas are worth their salt; fear of failure is holding me back; I know that once I get over the fear and just act; that would be the starting point.

[@GaryBryanDobbsSales]

You made me think of my time studying architecture. Many students thought their ideas were the "golden goose" and didn't share it much. Just get out there and try building on your idea precious Radebe because the world may become better because of it.

[@TexasRevving]

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." -Napoleon Hill

[@nonhlanhlapreciousRadebe]

Indeed

[@armancz]

nonhlanhla precious Radebe The "right time" will never come, never. Don't over analize it, don't try to think it thru, take your ideas and test them out right away. If you fail just say - ''HA! that was stupid!'' and try another idea or tweak the original one and test it out again... until its working. Only instant action can crush the fear of failure, you cant wait it out or convince yourself into doing it, only instant acton.

[@nonhlanhlapreciousRadebe]

you are 100% right armancz; i'm going for it. thanks :D

[@fiddah]

“I bounce back higher after rejection by certain people .” الحَمدُ لله

[@mich1583]

Wow, this is a gem . Too bad I only found this talk now. Gonna saved for a reminder whenever I am too scared to take action.

[@Bmg0321]

I find inspiring that she wrote that e-mail. Next time I am rejected, I will fight back as she did.

[@KL4life]

Failure is life's best teacher!

[@officiallynotarizedforyou6751]

Such a BRILLIANT person. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Barbara.

[@lindabyrne5692]

Thank you! I, too, am a real estate agent and everyday I ask myself if this is the industry for me. (I also had nuns/teachers make negative comments to and about me.) Your encouragement is well received.

[@mafiaps31]

First time I've ever watched a video on failing better

[@creatorjeks5568]

recently took an L on an investment, watching this is helping me define that L as a dot that will connect to a greater success down the road. Thanks Barbara

[@Melanie-wy9jd]

Barbara, you're an inspiration!! Thank you for being you.

[@mundanaess-haghabadi8199]

I love this. It's absolutely the truth. There is nothing like what comes off of the heels of failure! It has always opened the world of opportunity for me! Really appreciate this.

[@taeleor_mariee]

Exactly what I needed to watch especially failing a college class this semester (first year student; art student).

[@MaytaneVideos]

I featured your comments in the beginning of a video, should've asked first but really wanted to make the god damn video fast xD It;s like one of the inspirational comments in the intro. Thanks for writing that!

[@taeleor_mariee]

Maytane Winner you're welcome 😊

[@dalmasakumu6119]

Taeleor Marie let me help you with your assignment so that you can pass next time. reach me, [e-mail]

[@millennialaviation]

I failed some classes too, but I’m determined to try again

[@Jakarta123]

People who had done it always have greater weightage to their opinion rather than unknown people who give impressive speech

[@michael50664]

The most inspiring video I have ever watched. I admire your honesty. Rejection is something I have had to deal with in abundance as well, thank you for sharing your story.

[@marcelbonnici2622]

I'm scared of failure, and, for that reason, I'm out.

[@lionessk9385]

Her Chinese accent was the best.

[@GaryBryanDobbsSales]

Carrie Chiang taught her well. Barbara is hilarious!

[@justinschiferl213]

I’ve learned a lot from 2020. Especially when making decisions never make hasty decisions. Leaning from your mistakes is important and I have done so. I hope 2021 will be great. To this with covid or stuck in a remote area remember you will be fine just be positive!

[@Trypyyyy]

I love you Barbara! You are my idol!!!

[@bettyannvillasenor3066]

I'm inspired by your mentioning that getting up from failure and recovering from rejection is what builds success. I watch shark tank on hulu and you are still kind and direct with your communication to entrepreneurs. One day I hope to offer the same gift to those who are where you were, where I am now but not for long.

[@jennyhollinger5592]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@trungha2577]

This is an amazing speech! Very inspiring!

[@DogoArgentinoUSA]

A beautiful talk which helped me through the raw pain of utter failure!

[@Lisa_Fernandezhomeandlifestyle]

WOW, The most inspiring thought provoking video I’ve seen!!!

[@mudkipfan2420]

Thank you Barbara 👍🏻 You are awe inspiring

[@shawnt7289]

She is such a inspiration!!!!! I will come back to this video as often as I can !!!!!

[@oheavenknows]

Barbara you are AWESOME...thank you so much for sharing!

[@adamsalinas6282]

Success and failure. Corcoran has a story of resilient thinking. She definitely bases her success on financial gains. As she told her story the theme that stuck out to me was financial gain, loss of lovers, loss of money, gaining a lover, gaining money. I know the point is that being resilient pays off, but what about those who get us to the finish line. In the story about her friend from Taiwan who went out and contacted old clients telling them they would lose money if they did not sell - convincing many to sell, and then hiring interpreters for the Asians who were entering the market so that she could resale those listings again, was this not a story of manipulation for self-interest. At what point is it ok to blur the lines of ethical business? Do you feel this tactic resembles an honest character? Is it ok to conjure up a false idea in order to make financial gains? Something else that stuck out to me was that she never really gave credit to anyone else for her success. The Nun from hell made her feel like a failure, the lover left her feeling like a loser. But the Nun from hell actually motivated her and the lover that left her gave her money. None of this was acknowledged or appreciated in Corcoran’s speech, and as I listened to her story I felt as if she was all alone and fighting this force of failure all by herself. But I think we know better, if she was not challenged as a kid to do better, and if she never met a guy kind enough to give her the money in the first place, then where would she be? I am just not convinced that her story is as great as it could be, and I think it is due to the lack of recognition due to those who pushed her and or gave to her, so that she could have opportunity. Do you think this lady harbors ill feelings about past relationships, ie. Nun and lover? Do you think she would be more successful now if she never had this Nun as an influence or if she never was left by her first love? Since this theme revolved around money, do you think money is a measure of success?

[@ildikoayres1399]

Yes!!!

[@junior29557]

That Taiwan story was difficult for me to digest as well. It felt so wrong. However I didn’t understand how the Nun influenced her? I understood that she was always mocked for being dyslexic, even by the nun. Also she did say her first lover gave her the money to start. She gave him credit for his input. Financial growth is not the only measure of success but this is her story and this is probably what people want to hear from a businesswoman.

[@azzatamano2826]

Very inspiring, thanks for sharing.

[@cowboybebop4099]

Sued donald trump and won. What a legend

[@AllHandlesRTaken]

cowboybebop Sadly enough, she had to sue him to get him to pay up. Not paying people is not a desirable qualitative personality trait.

[@lynettemiller7912]

THAT, right there, is enough to make me love her!

[@TheNickparsa]

Barbara You are an inspiration I am so glad I have got to know you and approached this video

[@SuperPao5]

Wow!! Great speech..

[@MOSHAEMUSIC]

Thank you Barbara

[@mkatherineeagan7007]

I loved this so much and needed it today!

[@bim1537]

holy sht that's right. I first know about what a failure is, or at least what most people think it is, from school. School really fails at what they're supposed do.

[@AngieWaltersTorus]

Thank you for your talk. I can sure relate to this rejection. I have to get over thinking people stereotype me instantly or if they do I have to focus on my plans.

[@hjahansouz]

Thank you! This was a reality check for me.

[@attackonlui1367]

there's not enough lamps in the room, and for that reason I'm out.

[@mr_coffee9917]

Just came to comments to see this. Shocked to see just one....I am out

[@Maxz4115]

I wish I had watched this before I wasted 5hrs mopping and feeling sorry for myself for a failed certification exam..... in the words of Ariana....thank you...next

[@junior29557]

Handling failure or rejection is does not mean you have to suppress your emotions. That would only lead to psychological distress. Nowhere did she mention that she was suppressing her emotions either. Rather it’s the opposite, she used the anger, the insult, the shame and other bad feelings to push herself ahead. She obviously felt those emotions and didn’t suppress them.

[@bobwilliams9061]

Thank you Barbara. I needed that today.

[@arielamar950]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with failure.

[@AFreelandMarketing]

I love you Barbra! Awesome share!

[@atru3000]

In this season of unemployment, I appreciate this. Thank you Barbara and TED Talks.

[@thislady987]

I love this woman.

[@SuperUzzz]

love u Barbara