Walking forward with confidence

Yesterday was very special for me and our wonderful team of volunteers as we hosted my annual TEDx event in support of TEDWomen, and it was back in person again! I hit the ignition button on organising these back in 2013 and it’s amazing to think it’s now a full decade later and going stronger than ever.

My aim each year is to create the space and a platform for others to share their ideas and stories, to connect with like minded people, spark interesting conversations and thoughts, and ultimately give progress a little helping hand.?

The overarching theme for TEDWomen this year is “walking forward with confidence”, something so many of us (and not just women) can feel is challenging. More so in a post pandemic world where so much seems in conflict and chaos around us with lots to feel anxious and unsure about.

This annual event is always a bright spot in my year, it’s a chance to renew vows for positive progress, feel nourished by the good things others are achieving and be inspired about what’s possible when good hearted smart people hang out together.

Confidence is a cause close to the heart of our first speaker, Alice Williams MBE, founder of Luminary Bakery in East London. Alice spoke powerfully from her experience running the charity, which helps former socially disadvantaged women and those affected by gender based violence by using baking as a tool for employability and entrepreneurship; touching on several examples she mentioned one graduate who has since gone on to found her own restaurant. Confidence, Alice says, is “built through a combination of bravely trying something new, and then external validation when you do.” Because, she added “we believe women truly can change the direction of their lives whatever their start point.”

Next Jessie Mei Li, star of Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone,” shared thoughts from her own experience as a neurodiverse actor from a biracial family with a focus on empathy. In a world in which social media polarises opinion and “there is zero room for grey areas or nuance,” she believes art, film and TV are more important than ever to drive empathy.? “Authentic representation is essential,” she said, noting there is danger to be avoided in mainstream entertainment, “it’s so important social justice issues aren’t shoehorned in without regard for authenticity and nuance.” Jessie recalled growing up without positive role models of East Asian women on screen, while championing the importance of avoiding stereotypes in depictions of everyone – including white men.

Finally, Natalie Campbell MBE, Co-CEO of Belu Water, Co-Founder of global consultancy A Very Good Company and most recently Independent candidate running for Mayor of London, spoke about the power of trust – something pertinent in these times when trust in institutions like politics and the police have been eroded. Natalie described her experience of becoming CEO of a B2B water business just before lockdown struck in 2020. “I went from running an organisation that was successful…to not knowing if that business would exist.” She explained the role of trust for her and her team and what was needed to build this personally at speed to enable the business and its people to thrive, recreating its purpose, focusing on people and the product, all of which successfully built back its profitability as result. Trust, she said, is an “invisible contract” and we all have a role to play – including trusting ourselves. “For me, the power of trust is that I started by trusting myself” she reflected.

As ever we came away bouncy and buoyed up by these powerful women and their thoughts, having plotted a pathway through building confidence, empathy and trust - in ourselves, others and in the power of community. It was a magical evening, great to be back in person and I’m hugely grateful for our time together and all of the wonderful people who made it possible. Gosh, how will we top this next year!