That's why they say " it's not what you know, it's who you know" I'm just now realizing how true that is.

I thought this guy was going to say "you just have to work hard" I don't think I could have handled that sort of brain dead sentiment. I'm glad I watched the whole video. What a great honest guy.

Yes yes yes. THIS is a great TED Talk. It all boils down to relationships, and this honestly shows why some of the most hard working people will never move up.

Before going to sleep each night, I recall all the names of those who have helped me as well as the ones who are helping me now.

OMG. THIS. The best, nicest, most honest video I've seen about how people really move up in America. This also jibes perfectly with an article I read about a study that showed that the richer and more powerful a person gets, the more likely they are to attribute that success only to their own inherent skills/intelligence/work- ignoring, forgetting or just downplaying the "keys" they've been given by others.

I’m truly honored and blessed to have had T-Doe helping me through doors. You’re definitely a continuous and then moment for me and a few of my other peers. This was awesome.

While connections can do a lot for you, taking initiative can do a lot too. Taking initiative can sometimes be scary and feel risky, but it can also lead to good jobs, good connections, and sometimes good education. It can be hard to do, but it is not impossible. I started on a horticulture education, despite not knowing anyone in it, and I was offered an apprenticeship at a company where I didn't know anyone. It has to be said that in my country, education is free, so I'm not without help, but it is still up to me to take advantage of the opportunities I have. Taking initiative can be many things: Meeting new people, applying for a better job, signing up for an education, applying for scholarships and so on. Some people call it risk-taking, since a lot of the initiatives that make a difference are scary.

THIS IS WHY YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NETWORTH!

I have just realized the presence of locked opportunity inside of my company, and how important it is to enrich your friendship circle.

Top 5 factors to success, from least to most important: 1: Luck 2: Connections 3: Wealth you already had 4: ruthlessness 5: hard work

Taylor, you took something complex and broke it down so beautifully. This was one of the best Tedx Talks I’ve heard

I´m glad to hear people trully honest like this guy who tells things as they really are instead of repeating the brainwash marketing tales we constantly hear; the story about "winners" who have worked "hard" to get MONEY!! that means the are "successfull" (are they really succssful for getting money?). These storyes made more harm than anything else. The majority of people I know really work hard without connections, end up feeling frustrated or depressed thinking they is something wrong with them, that they have not worked hard enough. And the reallity is very different. Our youngsters end up byuing those stories and since a very young age end up deprressed at the prospects they se ein life, specially when they do not have connections. I encourage people to follow the advice given here. Share your keys with people who usually don´t have much opportunities. You´ll be trully surprised at the results!!!

In college I could sense defensiveness from other students who grew up with more keys and and-then moments than me when they could sense that I had less than them. It was as if they felt I was attacking them by sharing my adversities in hopes of them sharing their and-then moments or keys. Only very few people openly shared their and-then moments. Even less shared any keys. My goal is to get better at relationships. I’m not too bad at it, I just need to put in the effort. And hope to share with friends and family

The “good jobs” usually go to friends and family first. Its who you know and not always about skill or intellect or work ethics. There is no longer an “American dream”. Hard work is no guarantee today. Sad.

After watching this Ted talk, I just imagined my whole journey starting from my play school to my current job at an MNC. Really, this guy just helped me figure out something I forgot to be grateful Thank you

Taylor Doe showed the KEYS to the real opportunities in real life.....THE BEST TED TALKS for me by far.......

This TED Talk made me cry for what entails and because it made grow intellectually.

This reminds me of a saying I heard as a child “its not about what you know, its about who you know”

Connections are everything for the top 1%, and they obviously always make things easier. And yet, for the "normal" good jobs most people I know, myself included, just went to college, got good grades, applied through the usual channels and got a job, so connections aren't necessary beyond enough family support to get into and through college Btw, I did try to use a relatively close connection to a CEO in a big corporate and they still didn't hire me straight out of college, a different big company did

Tedx did they damn thing with this one. Bring him back! he's amazing.

"And then moments" Me too have plenty of them. I feel grateful.

Far too often we hear "just work hard, I did" as if the poor are at fault for being poor. As if poverty is a choice. So thankful to hear the proof that hard work is often simply not enough. It helps. But it's not enough.

Taylor Doe reminded me why I love and credit teachers. Teachers are an inspiration to our children ❤🌹

Thank you, I don't know why but I wanted to cry during your TedTalk. Maybe because I help people to find employment and I'm part of those and those moments. And of course, now I notice I have my own to share. Thank you! Excellent talk!

Powerful message Taylor, providing an opportunity to take inventory on our own "and then" moments - and reflect on the impact. Lots of training in corporate America now around unconscious bias (and the impact), which opens eyes to some of what you have discussed here. Actions must follow. Well done!

Keys are available at the State Fair, Ag Shows, 4H clubs and many social functions. All a person needs to do is go, make connections with the people at the booths. Those people have keys.

All people share “keys” with people they like and those that make them feel important. No one just tosses them around, it’s not up the the world to help, it’s up to each individual to learn and grow. At that point you decide who you share your “keys” with. You must learn to make relationships and avenues will open for you.

And so, it is. I am glad you said it as it is Taylor Doe. Thank you!

I needed this video so badly. Thank you for being there to film and share Taylor's talk and thank God for Taylor.

Great Job, I love the new perspective I gained. Keys compound the more generous we are, we need to be willing to distribute our keys to help others become successful. I also really liked your slides. Very minimal and had nothing excessive. Keep up the Good Work Tyler!!!

This video took an unexpected, appreciative turn. Thank you for sharing these important points in unlocking opportunities for ALL people.

this is what being humble + honest looks like. success never happens alone. opportunities r privileges that should be afforded to all. meritocracy is an illusion. opportunities r given based on proximity. this is going to change how i frame my own career because i definitely was just lucky a lot of the time.

Inspire me to share my story and be vulnerable 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Great and needed message Taylor! Some of these comments make it clear that there's still a lot of work to do to get others to understand the need FOR EVERYONE to share our keys (especially to the marginalized people groups)!! I'm proud to call you friend.

Thanks Taylor for your good and clear message. It's true your network is your net worth...

I always thought Connectivity related jobs were unfair. Taylor Doe Found a positive impact of it instead. Thank you So much.

Literally no one has ever unlocked opportunity for me except my parents. I don't have any And Then moments. But I've certainly given MANY to others.

Incredibly powerful talk. Thank you Taylor.

Thank you for your TEDxTalk!Great success to hear...❤️👨‍❤️‍👨😍🖐

Outstanding TED talk! Great narrative that connects relationships and workforce opportunities. Remember the timeless saying, “it’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know”.

My biggest takeaway: Nurture new relationships, never burn bridges, also think of how you can unlock doors for others.

Taylor, powerful talk..."connections"👏

CONNECTIONS GET THE GOOD JOBS I KNEW THAT BEFORE WATCHING VIDEO

Taylor is the real deal, and seeing this live in OKC had all our eyes leaking. He does everything (and more) than he’ll ever say, because he’s a humble dude who loves his kids and community. So proud of you!

It's not true that when we meet new people we get more opportunities. It may be true, don't get me wrong. But it's equally true that there are a LOT of people who don't share opportunities with you. I see so many examples of where people don't help you. They don't give you connections. Coworkers don't teach and train you how to do your job better. They don't suggest books or courses. They don't tell you these are the steps which lead you to what you want. I can see the massive potential for growth if this was not the way it is but this social mobility needs to be talked about in context with social stagnation and what might be called de-growth or atrophy. When I was a teen in grade 10, my parents were split up. I had one too many arguments with my dad so I asked my mom if I could move in with her, which meant moving to a nearby town and attending a new high school. Two guidance councillors told me we don't teach computers in this grade, the same material is for grade 11 here. So they wanted me not to attend that class and offered me gym instead. They wanted me to take the 4 year level of classes instead of the 5 year level classes I was taking in the previous school. They didn't say it was because I didn't have the ability. They didn't think I would attend university so it would be a waste. I attended the wrong English class for almost the whole first semester (another male student and I were the only boys in this otherwise all girl class of grade 11 students) before I was assigned the proper class. That teacher failed me two years in a row. I never graduated from high school and I still struggle a lot with getting better work. I'm not starving but I'm definitely not thriving either. When I told my dad I wanted to move in with my mom, he said, why don't you move out on your own like I did (when he was 14). That seemed preposterous to me at the time. I was unaware of many social safety nets available to me. I later learned about a 14 year old girl whose parents wanted to move to another town but she wanted to stay and finish her high school. She got government assistance and a place to stay that totalled to be a lot of money. I'm happy for her but I know there are so many opportunities I missed. About this pair of guidance councillors, when I protested, saying I wanted to just continue with the courses I had, they asked why I moved to this new town. I said my dad always argued with me. They said, usually parents advocate for a student (to get what I wanted). My mom was informed of their decisions but never followed up on it and I just kinda took it as there was nothing I could do. I just felt helpless. I know now, many decades later, I was not helpless, I just didn't know how to go about getting what I wanted. And I was surrounded by a lot of people who also didn't know how to help me get what I wanted. So your video presentation strikes a strong cord with me, going back to when I was a kid. One thing about me. If I learned these skills of building a social network and facilitating fit and growth for people, I would not keep this knowledge to myself or share it just with a few close people. At work on my breaks, I read a lot of books about communication, like Chris Voss Never Split The Difference, the many books by John Maxwell, on and on. And when people ask me what I'm reading, I show them. I lend books to them. I share videos and TED talks with them. There are of and on maybe 15 people from Afghanistan who work where I work. I shared about how Daryl Davis convinced directly and indirectly over 300 people to leave the KKK. They never heard of the KKK. But they heard of the Taliban and are convinced nothing will change the Taliban or Afghanistan. But I keep sharing quotes, videos, books with them hoping one day they get the bug to read voraciously, like I do. It can be really hard for myself to change, harder for me to influence others to improve themselves. But I haven't given up. How do I learn more?

So well spoken! Definitely saving this one.

Best Ted Talk I ever heard! Thank you so much Taylor for this. This really opened my eyes.

Wow, thanks for sharing this! If anything, it inspires me to try to collect more keys and put myself out there.

Thanks for sharing the motivational talk with us man. We appreciate it!

This is one of the most amazing Ted talks I've seen. It has definitely unlocked my interest for social science. Thanks!

PERFECT TALK. THANK U SO MUCH Taylor😍

Man when he mentioned the "and then" moments!

SOOO GOOD! This advice is priceless. Thank you, Tia!

I am reading a book, "The Psychology of Money," where Bill Gates also has an "and then" moment as in his school there was a computer. However, I also have lots of "and then" moments, and I am grateful for all of them.

Taylor Doe u changed my world man , thankyou so much

Awesome talk sir and thanku for sharing such worthy piece of advice.. Much needed 😇

Fantastic insight, Taylor! This was such a great talk.

I love the word (KEY) & (RELATIONSHIP) nowadays you need to have those otherwise there will be a zero opportunity for you

Much required topic, well presented 👍

Thanks for sharing this masterpiece!

❤ amazing ! Love this ! Thank you .

This is a generous and honest story that will unlock many minds

Eh? I'm 55 and I never got any job through knowing someone. I just applied for the first one and that led on to the second. I was the first person in my family to go to university - my parents were supportive and encouraging but had no information to give me and looking at my friends most of us were the same

awesome talk , i think one of the best this year

What an incredible talk. If only that top 1% would listen and share their keys rather than taking their keys to lock the doors behind them.

that was an absolute brilliant TED talk!

Love authenticity! ❤

Such a wonderful talk!

Really good talk. Probably cause he's humble

Years ago I connected my student to a good career path. I didn't have any contacts but I knew from experience that she was exactly the age and background the companies were looking to hire. She was hired and became very successful in her job in pharmaceutical sales.

One of the greatest Ted Talks I've watched

A little nuance to all this is that your “and then” connection has to think you have the skills and capability to perform the job before they pass your name along. If you get hired and do a poor job, it damages the reputation of the person that recommended you. So to benefit from connections, you first have to make yourself into the kind of person they feel safe recommending.

On my opinion this a presentation very inspiring .. I was remembering Like I was attend schooling my teacher have gave a matery about all sorts of job .. By chance I'm studies in nurse assistant program but I'm not return in my knowledge to a job .. Started from here I'm thinking about what I do after it " after graduate " and then I had remember she's said if finding a great job needed SWOT analyst like a entrepreneurship .. Started from here I'm tried applying SWOT analyst n apply for job on all sorts of job .. And then I got a job n I have relationships n be acquainted with "human resources development" in one company to else companies.. As far as I got a job in my passion.. Instead hypothetically result know skills very influential to a person be sides increased connection with someone else ... Instead Don't stop to here still opened your knowledge about your passions ..

Connections... is what you need 💯

There’s something compassionate about this man’s voice😊...respek!

Tedx videos are always amazing, Every video has something that we can learn

Fantastic Talk. I will be planting native milk week and nectarring plants in my back yard soon! Thank you 🙂

If you understand and appreciate the concept this guy explains here, you can be sure you'd love the book Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.

I love Ted talks and the power they have to inform, educate, and inspire. This is the best talk I’ve heard in a long time. Not because it resonated with me but because it inspired me, a middle aged international educator, to share my story again and to build more “and then moments. Thank you! Also, where is Damarion now?

I shared this with my "and then" person. Thanks!

What a fantastic talk

I’m happy I took the time to watch this 🥺💯

love this talk!

It is so true, so simple....amazing:-)

Thanks for the talk, its nice to see a good human these days. I didn't realize how this worked with who you know err "keys" never had any, always at the wrong place at the right time. 🤔 🔑♻️☮️

What a good man!

T-doe, Thank you ... ❤

Opportunities are unlocked through Relationships

Awesome! Thank you!

Apik iki, sae keteranganmu Mas. Tak simak yo "and then" iki nek nok nggonaku jenenge "bejo" Mas. Yowis dungo dinungo yo kabeh. Salam seko Jowo (Java).🙂

beautiful talk thank you

What a great show 😢 You're awesome Te

As an international student, this is too real

People generally get good jobs because they're educated in a way that's economically useful and are able to do a job that other's can't. Companies that offer good jobs usually assign them based on merit, otherwise they would be at a huge disadvantage to compeditors.

Best ted talk ever 😯👏 Amazing!

Most successful people truly believe their success is due to something they personally did, when actually it was help from someone else. It's human nature.

This is a good thing to know thank you.

I have so many and then moments. I’m going to start telling the full story now.

Thank you very much

To put simply, NETWORKING IS GOLD!