Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team

Rate this book
“Easy to understand and simple to implement, Masters of Uncertainty is essential for any person or team that wants to operate even better than they do now.”

Simon Sinek, optimist and New York Times bestselling author of Start With Why and The Infinite Game

Retired Navy SEAL commander and performance expert Rich Diviney reveals a revolutionary method for training individuals and teams to perform at their best, no matter what.

For Navy SEALs, success isn’t only a result of relentless training in shooting, skydiving, or combat—though they are experts at those things. The real secret is that they use their innate human capabilities to turn the stress of uncertain and complex situations to their advantage.

In more than two decades of leading, training, and coaching top performers, Rich Diviney (founder of the SEALs’ “Mind Gym”) discovered that while most elite individuals and teams are masters of preparation, it’s how they react when things don’t go according to plan that separates the best from the rest. They are Masters of Uncertainty.

With Diviney’s science-backed Mastering Uncertainty Method, you and your team will learn how to:

- Turn any uncertain or chaotic moment into an opportunityUse your body’s natural performance engine to keep going when the going gets toughStay cool and calm in the heat of any moment
- Become a person or team who gets better under pressureGain new insight into your “raw self” (inherent identity and attributes) to figure out the best course of action in any scenario
- Avoid the traps that cause 95% of teams using traditional business and leadership models to consistently underperform
- Cultivate the four domains of trust that are common to all high-performing teams

Masters of Uncertainty is a battle-tested handbook for everyone—working together or alone—to survive and thrive in our increasingly unpredictable world.

168 pages, Hardcover

Published February 25, 2025

97 people are currently reading
2178 people want to read

About the author

Rich Diviney

2 books27 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
44 (36%)
4 stars
37 (30%)
3 stars
36 (29%)
2 stars
5 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Fred Leland.
284 reviews20 followers
March 10, 2025
A short and powerful read packed full of usable information on decision making under pressure. The author makes the tough topic of mastering uncertainty, volatility, ambiguity and chaos very easy to understand while at the same time letting you know it takes work to get there! Great read highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sarah Cupitt.
838 reviews46 followers
May 1, 2025
this book is what i expected from the seals, very American, but gets the job done

Uncertainty is the one thing we can count on in life.

FORGE CERTAINTY ASK “WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT RIGHT NOW?” THEN ADVANCE TO YOUR GOAL

notes:
- we’re constantly thrown into situations that are unpredictable and beyond our control
- e.g. The US Navy SEALs understand this better than most. In 2011, they faced one of the most uncertain missions in modern history: capturing or killing Osama bin Laden.
- Stress isn’t your enemy. It’s a survival tool. When uncertainty strikes, your body floods with energy, sharpening focus and preparing you to act. But without direction, that energy pushes you into one of two ineffective responses: blind panic or avoidance.
- Defining each task’s Duration, Pathway, and Outcome – DPO – builds confidence, fuels momentum, and turns stress into action.
- Your brain is constantly asking questions, whether you realize it or not. Left unchecked, this internal dialogue can drag you into a spiral of doubt.
- Uncertainty doesn’t have to create paralysis if you direct your mind toward productive questions rather than destructive ones.
- Looking too far ahead makes an objective feel impossible. But focusing on the next manageable step keeps you engaged without draining mental reserves.
- With each measured breath, he stabilizes his heart rate using box breathing – a technique of inhaling, holding, exhaling, and pausing in equal counts. He maintains control over stress by using deliberate techniques that keep his mind clear and his actions precise
- When your focus narrows, stress levels rise. This happens instinctively in high-pressure situations, but you can counteract it by shifting to panoramic vision – relaxing your eyes and taking in the periphery.
- Another visual strategy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing – EMDR – helps reduce stress by moving the eyes from side to side, a technique widely used in trauma therapy.
- Two factors define how you respond to challenges: attributes and identity. Attributes determine how you react under stress. Identity shapes why you act the way you do.
- “As a SEAL, what is the right action?” This simple question reinforces core values and provides direction.
- To succeed in uncertainty, you need more than just a purpose – you need tangible objectives. High achievers move beyond abstract ideals, turning them into specific, actionable goals. Instead of merely wanting to be healthier, they commit to running a marathon
- In uncertain environments, leadership can’t be rigid. The most effective teams operate through dynamic subordination – a system in which leadership shifts based on expertise and the immediate situation. Unlike traditional models that rely on fixed hierarchies or leaderless equality, this approach ensures the most qualified person steps up at the right moment while others support them.
- To make this work, every team member needs three things: a clear understanding of shared goals, real-time awareness of unfolding situations, and deep knowledge of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Without these, leadership shifts can become chaotic rather than seamless.
- If you want a team that performs under pressure, forget rigid roles. Build trust, communicate openly, and practice stepping forward and stepping back. When leadership is earned in the moment rather than assigned by rank, the entire team becomes stronger
- A strong team identity requires clear, actionable expectations rather than vague values.
- While technical skills can be trained, intrinsic qualities are far harder to develop. Organizations that prioritize experience alone risk overlooking individuals whose attributes allow them to perform better under pressure and adapt in uncertainty.
- Leaders must continuously assess whether roles reflect strengths, ensuring expectations are not only clear but consistently reinforced. Adaptability must be sustained – embedding structured expectations into daily operations allows teams to respond instinctively, maintaining effectiveness in unpredictable conditions and ensuring the team thrives under pressure.
-
Profile Image for Marloes.
147 reviews8 followers
July 25, 2025
3,5 ⭐️ A quick read, describing a method on how to deal with situations that involve uncertainty. The theory made sense to me and the examples given were helpful to understand the concept even better. Personally, I wasn’t as interested in the third part of the book as opposed to the first two parts, probably because I wasn’t too familiar with the materials yet. I might revise this part later. I also didn’t like the military talk that much, it felt a bit too American. Nevertheless an informative read!
Profile Image for Jung.
1,936 reviews44 followers
Read
May 1, 2025
"Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team" by Rich Diviney explores how elite performance under pressure is not just a matter of training, but also mindset, adaptability, and using stress as fuel rather than a hindrance. Drawing from the high-stakes world of Navy SEALs, Diviney offers actionable insights for anyone facing personal or professional uncertainty. Whether in combat or in a boardroom, uncertainty is the one constant – and how we respond to it makes all the difference.

The story of the SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden is emblematic of this mindset. Despite months of meticulous preparation, the mission did not go as planned – a helicopter crash at the outset could have derailed everything. But the SEALs, trained to operate in chaos, adjusted without hesitation. Their success was not due to perfect planning but their ability to adapt swiftly and perform under pressure. This adaptability is at the heart of the book’s message: success in uncertain situations requires the capacity to stay composed, break down chaos into controllable elements, and take deliberate, strategic action.

One major principle Diviney presents is the concept of taking small, manageable steps – micro-goals that build momentum. He illustrates this through the story of a man named George who weighed 450 pounds. Facing what seemed like an impossible task – running a marathon – George started by taking one step at a time. First putting on shoes, then walking to the mailbox, and slowly increasing his capacity. This mirrors the SEALs' approach: when faced with overwhelming tasks, they don’t think about the entire mission; they focus on the next step, the next win, the next breath. In uncertainty, micro-goals serve as anchors, giving direction and making progress feel attainable.

Another core idea is that stress, often seen as harmful, is actually a biological tool that prepares us for performance. When uncertainty arises, the body responds with a burst of energy – adrenaline, sharpened focus – meant to help us act. But without focus, this energy leads to panic or paralysis. SEALs avoid this by using what Diviney calls the 'moving horizon,' keeping their focus on small, achievable objectives. They also use the DPO framework – Duration, Pathway, Outcome – to break down tasks into clear components, making it easier to act decisively.

A crucial part of managing stress is asking the right internal questions. Diviney points out that in uncertain situations, the brain naturally seeks information, often leading to spirals of doubt. SEALs train themselves to interrupt this cycle by asking, 'What do I know?' and 'What can I control?' These questions reorient attention to the present, where action is possible. This technique is universally applicable – whether you're navigating a corporate crisis or personal upheaval, directing your mind toward facts and control points keeps fear at bay and supports clear decision-making.

Motivation, the book explains, is not just about grit or willpower – it’s a biochemical process. If goals are too big or vague, the brain doesn’t produce enough dopamine to sustain effort. SEAL trainees get through Hell Week not by thinking about five days of torture but by focusing on the next evolution, the next meal, the next moment. Each small success triggers dopamine, reinforcing persistence. In life and leadership, this means setting challenging but achievable goals to create a feedback loop of motivation and progress.

Stress regulation also plays a central role in performance. SEALs use vision and breath control techniques to stay composed. For example, just before a high-altitude jump, they switch to panoramic vision, which calms the nervous system and restores mental clarity. Breath control – such as box breathing or the physiological sigh – helps regulate the body's stress response. These aren’t just hacks; they are trained responses, and Diviney stresses that practicing these methods daily builds the habit so that under pressure, they become second nature.

Beyond techniques, Diviney delves into the deeper drivers of performance: attributes and identity. Attributes – like resilience, adaptability, and emotional control – aren’t learned skills but inherent traits that determine how someone acts under stress. SEALs assess these attributes more than skills during selection. Knowing your own attributes, and understanding those of your team, allows for better decision-making and team dynamics under pressure. Identity, on the other hand, provides direction and motivation. When everything feels uncertain, a strong identity gives clarity. SEALs often ask, 'What would a SEAL do in this moment?' – a question that anchors them in purpose. This concept applies broadly: defining your personal identity can help you stay grounded and act in line with your values when the path ahead is unclear.

Diviney also explores how high-performing teams operate in unpredictable conditions. One standout principle is 'dynamic subordination' – the idea that leadership should shift based on who is best equipped to handle the current challenge, not on rank or hierarchy. This requires mutual trust, awareness of everyone’s strengths, and a shared goal. In SEAL teams, members must be willing to lead when needed and just as willing to follow when someone else has the advantage. This fluid model of leadership ensures that decisions are made by the person with the clearest view and the best tools at any given time, making the team more adaptable and resilient.

In one memorable story, a SEAL trainee refused to follow an arbitrary and dangerous training command that risked team safety. Instead of being punished, he was praised for using judgment aligned with team values. This illustrates how leadership within SEAL culture isn’t about rigid obedience, but about trust and mutual accountability. For teams in any field, encouraging initiative and rewarding clear, principled thinking strengthens performance and cohesion.

Building a strong team identity is equally important. SEALs don’t rely on abstract values – they operationalize them through clear behavior statements like 'I commit to discipline in all areas of my life.' These aren’t slogans; they are standards of conduct that eliminate ambiguity. Diviney encourages organizations to take the same approach: define expected behaviors clearly and ensure everyone understands and lives them. This clarity builds unity, trust, and performance under stress.

Even the best team members can struggle in the wrong roles. Diviney shares a story of a SEAL who underperformed until his responsibilities were realigned to match his strengths. Performance immediately improved. This underscores the importance of continuously reassessing not just who is on your team, but whether they are in the right place. Leaders who align roles with natural abilities create conditions where everyone can excel.

The book also emphasizes the role of clear, specific objectives. Vague goals don’t inspire action. Diviney’s own journey – a seven-year pursuit of becoming a SEAL despite setbacks and obstacles – highlights the power of a clearly defined mission. Once the goal is set, however, it’s important to focus not on the end, but on the steps required to get there. The DPO framework comes into play again, helping to transform abstract aims into tangible, actionable parts. This focus on process over outcome prevents burnout and encourages sustainable progress.

Ultimately, "Masters of Uncertainty" teaches that while we cannot eliminate uncertainty, we can transform how we face it. By focusing on small wins, managing stress deliberately, aligning with our identity, and adapting dynamically within teams, we build the capacity to thrive in pressure-filled environments. Whether you're leading a team, making a life change, or navigating crisis, the principles shared by Diviney offer a roadmap to turn chaos into clarity and stress into success. Like the SEALs, we can all learn to perform at our best – not despite uncertainty, but because of it.
Profile Image for Nick.
55 reviews
February 25, 2025
“Masters of Uncertainty” by Rich Diviney is an insightful and practical guide to thriving in unpredictable environments, drawing on the author’s extensive experience as a Navy SEAL commander and performance expert. The book offers advice to handling stress and uncertainty.
Diviney introduces the “Mastering Uncertainty Method”, a framework designed to help readers transform chaotic situations into opportunities. Success in high-pressure environments isn’t solely about preparation, but rather how one reacts when plans go awry.
The text is clear, concise, and easily implementable. Useful summaries at the end of each chapter allow for quick reference, enhancing the book’s practicality.
One particularly compelling aspect is the emphasis on reacting effectively to unexpected situations. Diviney argues that while most elite individuals and teams excel at preparation, it’s their ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned that truly sets them apart.
“Masters of Uncertainty” is not just for military personnel or extreme athletes. Its principles are applicable to a wide range of fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone facing uncertainty in their personal or professional life.
Profile Image for Synthia Salomon.
1,225 reviews21 followers
May 1, 2025
Masters of Uncertainty (2025) provides a method for training individuals and teams to perform at their peak, no matter the circumstances. It shows you how to turn uncertainty and chaos into opportunities, stay calm under pressure, and leverage innate human capabilities to excel in challenging situations. By mastering this approach, you can improve your performance, whether you work alone or as part of a team.

“uncertainty is inevitable, but how you respond to it can determine your success. The key to performing under pressure lies in breaking down challenges into manageable steps, staying focused, and using techniques like stress regulation. By embracing uncertainty, rather than avoiding it, you can turn unpredictability into an advantage. Mastering your mindset, understanding your strengths, and leveraging them in high-stress situations can help you achieve your goals – just like Navy SEALs do in the most demanding conditions.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Casey.
241 reviews2 followers
August 16, 2025
I got this when Rich came to speak at an event I attended. He was a very engaging speaker and his message really resonated with me. I found myself hitting notes down as he went, something I don’t typically do with live speakers.

This book was the king form, written version of his talk. While it expands on some of the concepts (horizon setting, DPO, dynamic subordination, etc.) I didn’t feel like it offered the same message. For those who do not have a chance to seem him speak, it is probably a more powerful message.

This is one that will go in the LFL, hoping this resonates with someone else.

Profile Image for Mark Manderson.
612 reviews36 followers
March 11, 2025
Great read
MASTER YOUR ABILITIES
MOVE HORIZONS
REMAIN GROUNDED WHEN STRESS HITS
FORGE CERTAINTY ASK “WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT RIGHT NOW?” THEN ADVANCE TO YOUR GOAL
CONTROL YOUR CURRENT MOMENTS
KEEP GOING
STAY THE COURSE EVEN UNDER DURESS
Set goals just outside of your comfort zone for continual expansion.
STAY COOL
REGULATE STRESS RESPONSE
Energize your body to energize your mind. Calm your body and you calm your mind.
Your body runs off the reptilian part of the brain which causes fight or flight so it’s imperative to leverage your body to guide your mind
Be reflective and not reactive


589 reviews2 followers
March 16, 2025
I thought that this book gave some excellent guidance. The book "Make Your Bed", also by a Navy SEAL, provided specific, actionable ideas that pertain to virtually anyone on a personal basis, almost guidance for daily living. This book, in contrast, lays out more of a framework on how to build high performing teams. Not all people will benefit from all aspects of this book as not everyone works or functions in a team based environment. However, for those that do work this way, this book provides some excellent input. Well worth reading.
Profile Image for Carly.
152 reviews
June 10, 2025
The title of this book doesn’t really fit the content, in my opinion. I really enjoyed when the author shared personal stories or experiences from his life. I wish there was more of that.
Profile Image for Niels.
25 reviews15 followers
November 4, 2025
The whole book was a bit superficial and I could use some sources for his statements.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.