Why You Keep Breaking Promises to Yourself (and How to Stop) | Walt Brown | TEDxAtlanta
Why do we break the promises we make to ourselves? Walt Brown—a veteran management consultant and trust evangelist—reveals a surprising truth: the promises we make alone are doomed to fail. But when we involve others, everything changes.With wit, vulnerability, and a dash of biscuit-fueled honesty, Walt walks us through his journey as a self-proclaimed serial promise breaker, and how a single promise from his wife transformed his health, and his understanding of trust.But this talk isn’t just about personal change. It’s a rallying cry for leaders, teams, and organizations. Drawing from his work with over 185 companies, Walt shows us how promise-making and promise-keeping at work are the invisible levers behind trust, culture, and high performance. Walt Brown is on a mission to remove the “yoke of
organizational confusion and dysfunction” that holds
employees back from being their best selves at work.
By breaking down barriers and aligning teams, Walt is reshaping the way businesses operate—one trust-filled workplace at a time.He believes trust is the foundation of a thriving organization, and when confusion and misalignment persist, distrust takes root. Through years of observation and action, Walt has developed actionable models that help companies foster Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement. His work has directly impacted more than 55,000
employees across 185 companies, empowering organizations to build healthier, more cohesive cultures. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 13:06What to Do When Your Identity Is Used in a Scam? | Migs Bustos | TEDxRizalStreetSomeone used Migs Bustos’ face to scam a woman out of $200,000. In this eye-opening talk, Migs shares his personal experience with online identity theft and the emotional, legal, and digital realities that come with it. His story is a powerful reminder to stay vigilant—and could help protect you or someone you love from falling victim to similar scams.#TEDxRizalStreet #TEDx #Deepfake #AIMiguel Carlos Bustos is a broadcaster and host known for "My Puhunan, Kaya Mo," and the "Uso at Bago" segment on TV Patrol on ABS-CBN News. He co-anchors "Nagseserbisyo, Nina Corpuz" on DWPM Radyo 630. Miguel started his media career with ABS-CBN Sports and Action and has interviewed renowned athletes like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. He has received awards, including Best Sports Show Host at the 17th and 18th Gawad Tanglaw. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 17:16Loving Life in Its Entirety | Marlo Mortel | TEDxRizalStreetIn “Loving Life in Its Entirety,” Marlo Mortel shares a heartfelt reflection on embracing both the joy and pain of life. Through personal stories, he reminds us that healing and purpose come from accepting every part of our journey — not just the highlights.#TEDx #TEDxRizalStreetHe first gained recognition as an actor, appearing in numerous television shows and movies. However, at his core, he is a singer and songwriter, dedicating his recent years to his true passion.His biggest inspiration was his mother, who passed away a few years ago. Alongside his love for music, he is deeply passionate about mental health. During the pandemic, he pursued this interest further, earning two certificates in Neuroscience from HarvardX. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:34Imagination | Iris Koumantaki | TEDxNea Smyrni YouthIris explores how imagination shapes our childhood, creativity, and even problem-solving. Through stories and questions, she reminds us that imagination doesn’t fade—it just needs a little spark. I am Iris, and I am 10 years old. If I have to describe my character, I will tell you that I am kind, polite and sometimes a little messy. My hobbies are drawing and playing games with roles. In order to do my hobbies, I have to use something that I call imagination. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:23Growing Up with a Pet | Eva Petropoulou | TEDxNea Smyrni YouthEva talks about how pets teach kids responsibility, empathy, and confidence. She reminds us that a pet can bring joy, love, and valuable life lessons to any family. Hi, my name is Eva, and I am fourteen years old! My hobbies are dancing and tennis because that’s where I get all my anxiety and stress relieved. I love animals so much, especially pets. My dream is to be a vet when I grow up. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:13Healthy Friendships | Angeliki Fouraki | TEDxNea Smyrni YouthAggeliki explores what makes a friendship truly strong and meaningful. Through her talk, she reminds us that healthy friendships are built on respect, trust, communication, and space. By being kind, honest, and supportive, we can create bonds that help us grow and become the best version of ourselves. Hello, my name is Angeliki, and I am 16 years old. In my free time, I like drawing as well as making puzzles with 1000 or more pieces. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 3:12The Art of Feeling | Chanioti Theodora | TEDxNea Smyrni YouthTheodora shares how drawing can become a powerful way to express emotions and connect with others. Through lines, colors, and honesty, she shows that art isn’t just seen— it’s felt. I am Theodora Chanioti and I am 11 years old. I like drawing anime, dancing, listening to K-pop and doing rhythmic gymnastics. Animals love me because I love them first. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx