How to Make Real Change | George Obolo | TEDxBath

Summary

In a thought-provoking talk, the speaker reflects on the stark difference between social media commentary and the real-life implications of personal tragedies, illustrated by a university student's unnoticed death. They categorize individuals as either referees, who merely voice opinions, or reformers, who take action. Emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and understanding others, the speaker encourages the audience to identify their personal values and find common ground with those around them. By fostering genuine connections and taking initiative, individuals can become impactful change-makers, contributing to a more unified and socially just world.

Takeaways

• 😀 The tragic story of a university student's death highlights the disconnect between online commentary and the real pain experienced by those affected.
• 💬 Society often prioritizes commenting on issues over taking meaningful action to create change.
• 🛑 Referees are those who criticize without taking action, while reformers actively seek to make a difference.
• 🔍 Successful reformers possess a strong sense of self-awareness, including a personal code that guides their actions and decisions.
• 👥 Understanding others is crucial for effecting change; meaningful interactions stem from recognizing shared needs and motivations.
• 🔗 Effective change arises from the overlap between self-understanding and understanding others, informing strategies for reform.
• 🌍 The speaker challenges the audience to transition from commentators to change-makers, encouraging them to identify personal injustices to address.
• 🚀 Everyone has the potential to contribute to reform; embracing the role of a reformer is essential for meaningful societal impact.
• 🌈 The vision for a better society includes achieving social justice, restoring broken relationships, and unifying divided communities.
• 🙌 The talk serves as a call to action for individuals to take up the challenge of becoming reformers, emphasizing that change begins with personal commitment.

Q & A

What event triggered the speaker's change in perspective?

The speaker recounts the tragic story of a university student who passed away, which highlighted issues of awareness and support within social circles.

What criticism arose after the student's death?

People criticized the student's friends, family, and university for not checking up on him and for failing to provide adequate support.

What does the speaker believe social media has contributed to society?

The speaker suggests that social media has created a culture where people are more focused on commenting about issues rather than taking action to create real change.

How does the speaker differentiate between 'referees' and 'reformers'?

Referees are individuals who have strong opinions but do not take action to enact change, while reformers are those whose strong opinions lead them to take concrete steps toward making a difference.

What is meant by 'personal code' in the context of the talk?

A personal code refers to an individual's foundational beliefs and values that guide their actions and decisions, helping them identify areas where they can make a difference.

What role does understanding others play in making effective changes?

Understanding others is crucial because change involves people. The speaker emphasizes that to create meaningful change, one must have a deep understanding of people's needs and motivations.

What similarities do all people share according to the speaker?

The speaker notes that despite individual differences, all people have basic needs and motivations that can be summarized into 30 common categories, which can help in understanding them better.

How can the overlap between self-understanding and understanding others lead to successful reform?

The overlap combines personal values and the needs of others, guiding individuals in how to approach change effectively and authentically.

What example does the speaker give to illustrate the importance of identifying overlap?

The speaker shares a personal experience from a math class where understanding both his own situation and the teacher's needs helped him avoid detention.

What challenge does the speaker pose to the audience?

The speaker challenges the audience to transition from being commentators on social issues to actively becoming change makers in their communities and beyond.