In this episode, I sit down with Maggie Jackson, an award-winning American author and journalist, to explore insights from her latest book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure. Jackson challenges our conventional aversion to uncertainty and presents it as a vital skill for creativity, resilience, and adaptability in today's fast-changing world.
We discuss:
- The nature of uncertainty: The difference between aleatory (external) and epistemic (internal) uncertainty and why embracing doubt is crucial.
- Cognitive benefits: How uncertainty enhances problem-solving, sharpens attention, and fosters innovation.
- Leadership and decision-making: Why the best leaders and experts embrace uncertainty rather than fear it.
- The role of technology: How the internet and social media contribute to an illusion of certainty, undermining deep thinking.
- Cultural differences: How tolerance for uncertainty varies across societies and workplaces.
- The psychology of disagreement: Why productive disagreement is key to better decision-making and avoiding groupthink.
Join us for a fascinating discussion on why being unsure isn't a weakness but a strength—one that can unlock deeper learning, better collaboration, and a more open-minded approach to the world around us.
