The Masters of Uncertainty with Rich Diviney
In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, former Navy SEAL commander and performance expert Rich Diviney returns to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast to discuss his groundbreaking new book, The Masters of Uncertainty.
With decades of leadership inside one of the world’s most elite military units, Rich unpacks how we can all perform better under pressure, lead with clarity in chaos, and transform anxiety into purposeful action.
Dwayne and Rich dive into the neuroscience behind fear, the underestimated power of identity, and the simple yet potent tools you can use to build teams that scale with integrity. Whether you're a business owner, leader, or high performer—this episode is a masterclass in navigating the unknown with confidence and precision.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome back Rich Diviney
02:00 – Why The Masters of Uncertainty had to be written
05:40 – The book format that turns ideas into tools
07:00 – Life after SEALs: Business, family, and building with purpose
11:30 – Humans first: Common ground in conflict zones
13:30 – The irony of great leadership: Make yourself obsolete
16:00 – From Navy SEALs to CEO: The universal language of leadership
18:10 – The language of performance and the power of attributes
20:00 – Scaling wisely: Patience vs. pressure in entrepreneurship
26:00 – The psychology of transition & identity
33:00 – “I AM” statements and their impact on behavior
37:00 – Why we freeze, panic, or procrastinate
40:00 – The science of fear: Uncertainty + Anxiety
48:00 – The “Physiological Sigh” and open-gaze breathing
53:00 – Cold plunges, breathwork, and nervous system mastery
57:00 – Teaser: What to expect in Part 2
Notable Quotes:
“Leadership is about creating the environment where your team can outrun you.” – Rich Diviney
“When the shit hits the fan, personality goes out the window. That’s when attributes take over.” – Rich Diviney
“True confidence is knowing that when uncertainty hits, I’ll figure it out—and I’m okay.” – Rich Diviney
“Most people are not aware of how driven they are by the need for certainty. That’s what holds them back.” – Dwayne Kerrigan
Resources & Tools Mentioned:
- Rich Diviney’s assessment & attributes work: www.theattributes.com
- Assessment tool use promo code KERRIGAN15: https://hub.theattributes.com/
- The Masters of Uncertainty – https://learn.theattributes.com/mastering-uncertainty
- The Attributes Book (2021) – foundational read on human performance
- Physiological Sigh (breathwork tool) – Explained in Andrew Huberman’s work
- Open-gaze technique – A tool for reducing autonomic arousal instantly
Top Takeaways for Business Leaders:
- Uncertainty + Anxiety = Fear
- → Break the cycle by managing one or both.
- The Identity Shift Matters
- → Retire old “I AM” statements that no longer serve you. Choose new ones consciously.
- Breath and Vision Are Performance Tools
- → Use the “physiological sigh” and panoramic vision to reset your nervous system.
- Attributes > Personality in Stress
- → Know how your team shows up under pressure, not just how they act when it’s easy.
- Great Leadership is Scalable
- → Teach a language of performance so others can lead with the same clarity and impact.
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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.