The momentum trap—and how to avoid it | Colleen Pimentel | TEDxMcMasterU

Colleen Pimentel challenges the idea that moving faster always means making progress. Her talk introduces the power of a “Strategic Pause,” encouraging audiences to step back, gain clarity, and ensure that the momentum we build is moving us in the right direction. Meet Colleen Pimentel, a Founder, Author, and GTM Business Leader with three decades of experience at tech giants like Google and Oracle. She is a leading advocate for "The Great Unlearning"—the process of trading external expectations for an authentic life defined by purpose rather than just achievement. This mission led her to a niche in transformational leadership, helping high-achievers navigate the "Fog" to reclaim their agency and fulfillment.

Throughout her 30-year career, Colleen mastered the art of reinvention, navigating over ten pivots while mentoring others to unlock their most purposeful professional chapters. Her battle-tested resilience inspired her book, Second Act, where she rewrites the rules of power and fulfillment for successful women. Colleen continues to advocate for psychological safety and authentic agency, with a goal of building corporate cultures and personal lives where individual voices are heard and truest powers finally step forward. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx