What if resilience isn’t about bouncing back on your own, but about who shows up with you when life unravels? In this talk, Robert G. Woods Jr. shares the story of a life-altering phone call, the lessons learned in hospital hallways, and the truth that we don’t rise by ourselves—resilience is multiplied in community. Robert G. Woods Jr. is a hospitality leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller with nearly two decades of experience shaping guest and leadership experiences for global hotel brands like Hilton and Marriott. He is the founder of Woods Hospitality Group, where he draws on his expertise in business development, leadership, and customer experience to help leaders and teams grow. Robert’s work explores the intersection of resilience, community, and purpose — reminding us that true strength is not built alone, but sustained together. 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
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- 6:51Is a Jack of All Trades better than a Master of One? | Rithwik Krishna | TEDxGIIS Dubai"Is a Jack of All Trades better than a Master of One?" by Rithwik Krishna explores the balance between being a generalist and a specialist, inspired by the full quote “A jack of all trades is a master of none, though oftentimes better than a master of one.” Drawing on Isaiah Berlin’s “The Hedgehog and the Fox,” it celebrates versatility, adaptability, and interdisciplinary growth. Rithwik Krishna is an 11th grader who advocates that you don’t have to fit into just one box to excel. A seasoned MUN debater, Trinity-level pianist, lead in a school musical, and Secretary of his school’s Cultural Council, he channels his passion for the arts toward a greater calling to heal as a future doctor. In his talk, “Is a Jack of All Trades Better than a Master of One?”, he opens up about the struggles and surprising strengths of being a “generalist”. Through his own story, he’ll reveal why exploring different passions can be your biggest advantage, and why it’s not too late to diversify your skills. 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
- 11:37Lessons for a new generation in a new world | Sanchay Gupta | TEDxGIIS DubaiMy exploration of the modern 'Pandemic of Validation Craving' serves to reflect our generation's relentless obsession with trends, brands and social media approval and how it has trapped us in a cycle of comparison and 'Doomshopping.' It critiques how society prioritizes looks and links respect to possessions, showing how even phones can shape our social interactions. Finally, it highlights practical spending and self-awareness strategies like identifying the trigger for your Impulse spending and FOMO and switching back to cash to make most purchases, and suggests embracing individuality to build true self-worth. I am an inquisitive 15-year-old coming from GEN-Z, interested in everything about science, satellites and the human mind. My speech focuses on my observations about people and ongoing trends, specifically on the rise of over-obsession/craze, show-off culture and how it affects the different stakeholders in society. Moreover, I will also discuss about how setbacks are a strategic advantage towards living a more meaningful life. 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
