Tomorrow's entrepreneurs aren't who you think
Talk given at TEDxWilliam James College 2025
Newton, Massachusetts, March 29, 205
Christine O’Brien
Organizational Psychologist & Leadership Consultant
About the Talk
The heroic innovators, often depicted as the leading tech giants, have dominated the image of entrepreneurship for over three decades, and yet it isn't a completely accurate picture of who entrepreneurs have been or who they are becoming. When we look at the data, it is a broader and richer story that is shifting quickly towards a new iteration—and there is a high chance it includes you. In this talk, Christine O'Brien draws a compelling, data- and story-driven, expansive image of entrepreneurship, including family-run businesses, coaches, consultants, and content creators. It highlights themes and stories from interviews conducted with entrepreneurs about why they started their businesses. Layering in data from recent reports, it presents the rise of entrepreneurship and the career lattice as a more accurate representation of people's non-linear career paths.
Understanding this new reality is critical for anyone who is, may become, or knows someone where entrepreneurship and freelancing may not only be a choice, but one of the few paths to true career security. Tune in to explore the future of entrepreneurship, what it means for you and your family, and how each of us can support entrepreneurs who often face uncertainty and anxiety.
Source: TEDxWilliam James College
About Christine
Dr. Christine O'Brien is an organizational psychologist and leadership consultant. As a marketer turned psychologist, she believes analytics and storytelling are an essential duo. She identifies as a futurist, someone with an insatiable desire to explore trends (historic and current) as a way to predict what lies ahead, and wants to unveil the true future of entrepreneurship. She uses her own research and analysis of workplace trends to paint a more complete picture of entrepreneurship today. She hopes this knowledge will empower people to take control of their own career paths while also encouraging leaders to create organizations that honor entrepreneurial thinking and experiences as a way to solve the complex challenges that we are facing globally.
Source: TEDxWilliam James College
TEDxWilliam James College 2025
Through powerful storytelling, groundbreaking research, and deeply personal insights, TEDxWilliamJamesCollege presenters will inspire others to rise, to challenge, and to reimagine—because to Elevate is to evolve.
This TEDx event is dedicated to Dr. Aprille Young, whose leadership and vision continue to inspire transformation in leadership psychology, organizational development, and beyond. Her pioneering work in leadership psychology and cancer care embodies the very essence of what it means to Elevate—ourselves, our communities, and the future.
Source: TEDxWilliam James College
Coach’s Reflections
More to come!
