110: How to beat uncertainty and unpredictability with Matt Watkinson, CX consultant & author of Mastering Uncertainty

This week, we tracked a trail from Tilehurst to Tinseltown to catch one of Reading’s finest exports, Matt Watkinson, where he was, and remains, in LA. An internationally renowned author, speaker to a whole host of brands, and consultant on all things CX, product and business, Matt’s latest tome, Mastering Uncertainty, explores and advises how to turn this inherent source of anxiety into an advantage.3 years and almost 100 episodes since his first Call To Action chinwag, Matt talks through a ton of topics; his new book, the fertile void of COVID, piling rice one grain at a time, Rafael Nadal, serendipity, luck surface area, fear of failure, affordable loss, asking yourself ‘what’s my downside?’, Hungarian expletives, and a treasure trove more. /////Follow Matt on LinkedInHere’s his website (“idiotic” side projects included) Check out his three books: Mastering Uncertainty, The Grid, and The Ten Principles Behind Great Customer ExperiencesAnd go gorge on our first Call To Action chinwag with Matt hereThis month we’re supporting the award-winning School of Communication Arts to make the very best creative education available to all. They’ve launched a huge sale across their best-selling courses for agency creatives to fuel diversity in the industry - 20% of sales will go to Brixton Finishing School, all further profits will feed into SCA’s scholarship programme for 2023. Head here to see the courses for sale from only £150 per person. And you can listen to SCA Dean, Marc Lewis, talk more about the school and a whole load more, here. Timestamps(03:30) - Quick fire questions(05:00) - Why he wrote Mastering Uncertainty(12:13) - The trivial beginnings of most life-changing events  (17:39) - Trying to get to certainty before you act is a waste of time(26:43) - Luck vs serendipity(30:00) - Fear of failure and uncertainty (41:28) - The concept of affordable loss(47:28) - What’s my downside? (50:09) - Listener questions (01:01:58) - 4 pertinent posers Matt's book recommendations are: Accelerating Excellence by James A. KingGap Selling by KeenanThe Creative Act by Rick Rubin /////