160. The Power of Curiosity: How To Cope With Uncertainty / Richard Gerver

Today I’m speaking with Richard Gerver - one of the foremost experts on change and human leadership, described by the late Sir Ken Robinson as, “One of the clearest and most passionate voices for radical change both in education and in business.” A best-selling author, educator and keynote speaker, Richard’s work draws upon a deep understanding and compassionate interpretation of change and human potential, and – as Sir Robinson describes – “In his compelling presentations and books, he takes his powerful message of hope and possibility to educators, business leaders and policy makers around the world.” The mind behind two hugely successful courses on LinkedIn Learning, Richard is also the author of four renowned books – Change, Simple Thinking, Education: A Manifesto for Change and Creating Tomorrow's Schools Today – guides that draw upon his experience as an educator and consultant to businesses and organisations, to help readers think in new ways about the people we know and the places we work in.I first met Richard at the World Business Forum last year in Madrid, where we talked about his forthcoming book, Curiosity, which is due out in Spring 2027. We hit if off immediately and I just had to invite him onto the show to explore the many themes about which we are both deeply passionate. This was a moving conversation for me, and I hope you enjoy it.SUMMARYRichard Gerver and Nathalie Nahai explore the depths of human psyche, change, curiosity, and collective resilience. They discuss how uncertainty, fear, and the need for certainty shape our world, and how storytelling, vulnerability, and micro-activism can foster hope and transformation.WEBSITEhttps://richardgerver.com/ BOOKS & RESOURCESBooks:https://richardgerver.com/books/ CHAPTERS00:00 The Global Human Psyche: Uncertainty and Fear06:23 The Fragility of Certainty: Learning from Failure11:59 Risk and Growth: The Importance of Taking Chances19:27 Personal Journeys: Adversity and Resilience23:38 Curiosity: The Key to Navigating Change34:58 Questioning vs. Condemnation: The Power of Curiosity36:07 The Dignity of Disagreement37:35 The Power of Storytelling in Change41:43 Micro Activism and Personal Responsibility44:28 The Renaissance of Humanity48:14 Navigating Darkness Together52:40 The Role of Shame in Human Connection58:56 Empowering Change Through Responsibility