Ideas worth spreading

Want to help someone? Shut up and listen!

3,848,599 views |

Ernesto Sirolli |

TEDxEQChCh

• September 2012

When most well-intentioned aid workers hear of a problem they think they can fix, they go to work. This, Ernesto Sirolli suggests, is naïve. In this funny and impassioned talk, he proposes that the first step is to listen to the people you're trying to help, and tap into their own entrepreneurial spirit. His advice on what works will help any entrepreneur.

When most well-intentioned aid workers hear of a problem they think they can fix, they go to work. This, Ernesto Sirolli suggests, is naïve. In this funny and impassioned talk, he proposes that the first step is to listen to the people you're trying to help, and tap into their own entrepreneurial spirit. His advice on what works will help any entrepreneur.

This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxEQChCh, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.

About the speaker

Ernesto Sirolli

Ernesto Sirolli

Sustainable development expert

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Ernesto Sirolli got his start doing aid work in Africa in the 70's -- and quickly realised how ineffective it was.

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This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxEQChCh, an independent event. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Read more about TEDx.