Episode 173: Learn how to handle uncertainty, unlock hidden potential, and use curiosity to navigate change.
Uncertainty is something we can’t always control, but we can learn how to respond to it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lynda Shaw, behavioral neuroscientist, entrepreneur, speaker, and past president of the Professional Speaking Association of the UK, to explore how neuroscience can help us better understand our brains, behavior, emotions, and the way we respond to change.
Lynda shares how her journey from running multiple businesses and earning a doctorate in behavioral neuroscience led her to helping experts communicate their ideas and unlock hidden potential. She explains why speakers need to serve their audience instead of themselves, how finding your lane can make you more effective, and why curiosity can change the way we experience uncertainty. From navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic to understanding how behavior can influence the brain, this conversation offers practical insights for speakers, leaders, and anyone learning to work with change.
Key Takeaways
- Great speakers serve their audience by understanding what people actually need rather than simply sharing what they know.
- Finding your lane helps you become a stronger expert while allowing you to bring your broader experiences and knowledge into your work.
- You can become more comfortable with uncertainty by sitting with it, staying curious, and deliberately changing your behaviors.
- Curiosity turns uncertainty from something to fear into an opportunity to learn, adapt, and discover something new.
- Sometimes the best way to handle what you can’t control is to “lighten up,” focus on what matters, and let go of unnecessary worry.
Whether you’re a speaker, leader, entrepreneur, or simply navigating a world of constant change, this episode of Engaging Virtual Meetings offers a powerful reminder that we don’t have to eliminate uncertainty—we can learn to become more comfortable with it, stay curious, and make the most of what we can control.
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Connect with Sarah Ohanesian:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndashaw/
Connect with John Chen:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceojohnchen/
