If you’ve never been to a TED conference, it might be difficult to imagine. Curious minds from around the world converge to share ideas and grow into the next version of themselves — all while being inspired by the flavors, history and culture of our host city: the beautiful Atlanta, Georgia. Maybe we’re biased, but yes, it’s a truly unforgettable experience.

For a first-hand look at the TED experience, we’re passing the pen to Renae Reints, TED’s Newsletter Editor, to share daily updates live from TEDNext.

Hi again. 👋 I might look familiar if you followed along in April, where I shared my first TED conference experience. While the annual TED conference is about the future of the human race, TEDNext is about the future of you — how your personal and professional dreams can evolve and be realized.

The impact of this lens was clear in all my conversations today. People come here ready to stretch their minds, connect and branch out into something new. All the conference activities — on- and off-stage — are curated to push you and your leadership skills to the next level.

Here are 3 tips to lead with purpose from Day 1 at TEDNext:

1. Indulge in childlike wonder

Don’t be deceived: While this is a conference of adults, whimsy and wonder are everywhere. From the big comfy couches to the colorful arched entryways, our team creates an adult playground for learning and exploration.

“When I first fell in love with TED, what I liked was that it was an adult summer camp,” said Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, PCC, an executive coach and longtime attendee. “Oftentimes, as adults, we forget wonder and we forget play, and so this experience allows me to be present and to be childlike again.”

The playfulness has a place for the professional, too. As you climb higher in your career, your personal development is no less essential, said Lakeya. Attending events like TEDNext not only gives you a mental health break, but can spark innovative thinking inspired by new connections.

“You're going to end up being inspired by people that you didn't know you were going to meet,” said Timm Chiusano, a TEDNext speaker and self-described “Mr. Rogers for corporate America.”

Even if you’re not indulging in a new experience and meeting new people, you can take a look at the world around you with a child’s eyes, finding something new in even the most mundane. Timm advocates for practicing this kind of appreciation of the everyday and sharing that with others.

“Pick one thing around you and then ask yourself what you can appreciate about that thing. That really niche thing that you love is actually going to give other people a reason to believe in who you are and what you bring to the table,” said Timm.

2. Negotiation is personal

One of the most vital skills for career growth is negotiating, but it can often seem daunting (at least to me). For those looking to make the ask with confidence, women’s leadership expert Kathryn Valentine led a Discovery Session, one of TED’s quintessential hands-on workshops, on how to identify what you want and negotiate like a pro to achieve it.

“The way to maximize your negotiation is to understand what's driving you,” said Kathryn. “And once you understand what's driving you, then you can ask for the unique things that allow you to have that life you want.”

How do you figure out what drives you? Start with a magic wand. If you could have anything in the world and no societal expectations to hold you back, what would the next year of your life look like? The way you answer this question tells you what’s important, and what’s maybe comfortable being left on the cutting room floor (at least for now — you can’t optimize for everything at once).

When you get to the negotiation, Kathryn offers a clear "relational ask formula": highlight your past success, envision a better future, make your request and then end with an inviting question like, “What do you think?” That question makes the negotiation a partnership — and also stops you from interjecting and undermining your own ask in the process.

Kathryn’s Discovery Session set attendees up for winning negotiations, but countless other workshops and excursions brought out firefighting skills, neurohacking techniques and yes, even puppies were involved (but that’s a story for another day).

3. Lead with love

Meghan Sullivan, a TEDNext speaker and philosopher, has a hot take: We don’t need more civility, we need more love. “When we talk about love as being a virtue for the workplace a lot of leaders think that either I'm going to get them in trouble with HR or that people are going to perceive them as weak,” she said.

But philosophy offers a different view. Love doesn’t have to be romantic; It can be as simple as seeing someone as another vulnerable human being — more alike than you realize. This is a powerful perspective for someone leading in the workplace.

“The skills of practicing the virtue of love at work go hand in hand with practicing the skills of deep listening, of creating psychological safety, of willing to be appropriately vulnerable as a leader and also willing to see that kind of vulnerability and humanity in your coworkers,” said Meghan.

Interpersonal connection built upon vulnerability is truly essential to growth. Meeting people on their own personal and professional journey helps to add depth and context to your own. Especially when the world can seem bleak and stress-inducing, this kind of connection is vital.

“It starts to open up your world again. It gives you a little bit of hope that in fact, our social lives, our ethical and spiritual health, there's hope for it still,” said Meghan.

And if there’s one thing Day 1 of TEDNext has given me, it’s hope. I woke up exhausted from travel and a lingering cold, but I’m going to bed warmed, inspired and grateful for the brilliant conversations today brought.

Get the full TED Theater experience

If you want to catch all of the unedited talks, tune in on TED Live! You can bring the TEDNext experience to your home on demand — or anywhere you want to watch — and get all the in-between moments of wonder on stage.