My TED Talk is Online!
In November 2019, I was selected to speak at the TEDx New Albany event. Giving a TED Talk was something I’d aspired to for nearly a decade, so I was elated to finally have an opportunity!
After hundreds of hours of practice, I felt like a racehorse in the gate waiting for the Kentucky Derby to start. Then suddenly everything changed.
My talk was slated for early March 2020, and Covid hit. One week before the talk the world came to a standstill. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. However, I quickly realized, many people had much bigger concerns than giving a TED Talk.
I pivoted and turned the talk I was supposed to give into a presentation I’ve used at many conferences. But I never let go of the dream. While I could have applied to other TEDx venues, I wanted to speak at the TEDx New Albany event so friends and family could attend. So, I waited, and waited, and waited.
Finally, at the beginning of 2023, the New Albany event was resurrected, and I was selected again. On April 18th, with several dozen friends and family in the audience, I gave my talk.
The talk centered around pre-suasion; a psychological approach that can make it significantly more likely to positively influence people by setting the stage.
During the talk I introduced people to pre-suasion and shared three brain rules – attention, mindset, and triggers – you can tap into in order to successfully use pre-suasion.
To open the talk, I shared how I asked my wife Jane to marry me. To be honest, I had no idea about pre-suasion in July 1986, but I intuitively knew I had to do something big to win her over.
I hope you’ll invest 15 minutes to watch the talk. And make sure you watch to the very end for a special twist.
Click here to watch the presentation.
Brian Ahearn
Brian Ahearn is the Chief Influence Officer at Influence PEOPLE. An author, TEDx speaker, international trainer, coach, and consultant, Brian helps clients apply influence in everyday situations to boost results.
As one of only a dozen Cialdini Method Certified Trainers in the world, Brian was personally trained and endorsed by Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., the most cited living social psychologist on the science of ethical influence.
Brian’s first book, Influence PEOPLE, was named one of the 100 Best Influence Books of All Time by Book Authority. His follow-up, Persuasive Selling for Relationship Driven Insurance Agents, was an Amazon new release bestseller. His latest book, The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness, is a business parable designed to teach you how to use influence at home and the office.
Brain, great presentation and message. I love to see people get to do the thing they love, you have done that. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in many of your training sessions. Keep moving forward and continue to help others reach their dreams.
Brad
Thank you for the compliment Brad. I appreciate that you and many others at State Auto had to endure me as I perfected my craft. I will never forget the hospitality you, Tom, and Russ showed every time I traveled to Milbank. Be well!