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Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation
Discover how great leaders draw out the best of human nature.
The dilemma. Our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands constant innovation. The enemy of better leadership is uncertainty deeply buried in the minds of your workforce.
The solution. In Certainty, Mears offers the understand human nature. Work with it rather than pushing against it. Mears draws on neuroscience and psychology-plus compelling stories from his career-to offer practical leadership advice,
• Entertaining, science-backed explanations of how our brains think and how our primitive brains are colliding with the demands of the modern workplace
• New feedback, change management, and delegation tools to build an environment of certainty rather than of fear
• Fresh insights to overcome innate change resistance in yourself and others
• Time-saving ideas to empower yourself while empowering your employees
The results. You want loyalty, trust, and great performance from your team. We all do. With Mears's guidance, you can identify the limitations and strengths of the human mind and create a dynamic and innovative workplace.
The dilemma. Our Stone Age brains are hardwired for survival and programmed to fear the unknown, yet the work world demands constant innovation. The enemy of better leadership is uncertainty deeply buried in the minds of your workforce.
The solution. In Certainty, Mears offers the understand human nature. Work with it rather than pushing against it. Mears draws on neuroscience and psychology-plus compelling stories from his career-to offer practical leadership advice,
• Entertaining, science-backed explanations of how our brains think and how our primitive brains are colliding with the demands of the modern workplace
• New feedback, change management, and delegation tools to build an environment of certainty rather than of fear
• Fresh insights to overcome innate change resistance in yourself and others
• Time-saving ideas to empower yourself while empowering your employees
The results. You want loyalty, trust, and great performance from your team. We all do. With Mears's guidance, you can identify the limitations and strengths of the human mind and create a dynamic and innovative workplace.
- GenresLeadership
288 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2025
9 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Mike Mears
5 books2 followersMike Mears retired as the CIA’s Chief of Human Capital and founded and headed the CIA Leadership Academy.
Prior to CIA, Mike was a senior vice president at GE Investments and a Six Sigma Black Belt. And before that, he launched multiple small business start-ups.
He earned his undergraduate degree at West Point and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mike has lectured on leadership at the Department of Defense, Georgetown University, the University of Salzburg, the University of Maryland, and the National Intelligence University.
He has delivered keynote speeches at a wide variety of business, government and academic conferences.
Prior to CIA, Mike was a senior vice president at GE Investments and a Six Sigma Black Belt. And before that, he launched multiple small business start-ups.
He earned his undergraduate degree at West Point and his MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mike has lectured on leadership at the Department of Defense, Georgetown University, the University of Salzburg, the University of Maryland, and the National Intelligence University.
He has delivered keynote speeches at a wide variety of business, government and academic conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2025
Mike Mears’ Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation takes a deep dive into the human mind and how our survival instincts shape workplace behavior. The book is built around the idea that humans crave certainty, and uncertainty often triggers fear, resistance, and poor decision-making. Mears explores concepts like the "auto-brain," which governs instincts and emotions, and the "focused-brain," which helps us control those impulses. Through engaging anecdotes—some from his time in intelligence—he presents practical leadership strategies to build trust, inspire teams, and drive innovation. At its core, the book argues that great leaders don’t just manage—they create a sense of psychological safety that allows people to thrive.
One of the things I really appreciated about Certainty is how it strips leadership down to the basics of human nature. It’s not just about motivational speeches or company mission statements; it’s about how our brains are wired. Mears breaks down how we spend most of our day running on instinct, often without realizing it. His discussion on how humans resist change not out of stubbornness but because our brains are wired to see it as a threat felt like a lightbulb moment. He explains that the key to leading people through change isn’t brute force but creating a sense of security. The simplicity of that insight hit hard.
One of the book’s strengths is its clear and consistent message about how uncertainty triggers fear, reinforcing the importance of creating psychological safety. Mears emphasizes this idea throughout, ensuring it sticks with the reader. His anecdotes from intelligence and corporate leadership are captivating, offering unique insights from high-stakes environments. I appreciated the inclusion of case studies from everyday workplaces to showcase how these concepts apply across a broader range of industries.
One of my favorite sections was the one on "Mental Prompts," which provides easy, actionable ways to create a culture of certainty. The “Vision Prompts” help clarify expectations, the “Inclusion Prompts” tap into our social bonding instincts, and the “Insight Prompts” encourage creative problem-solving. Mears makes a compelling case that small, consistent behaviors like genuine recognition or making sure everyone feels included can have a massive impact on a team. The example of CIA officer Renee, who created a high-performing unit in a war zone by focusing on trust and inclusion, was powerful.
Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation is an insightful, engaging read that makes leadership feel less like a skill you have to master and more like a mindset you can adopt. If you’re a leader (or aspiring to be one) and want to understand what truly motivates people, this book is worth your time. It’s particularly great for managers in high-pressure environments, but honestly, anyone who works with people will find something useful here. If you’ve ever been frustrated by resistance to change or struggled to inspire a team, this book will give you practical ways to flip that script. Highly recommended.
One of the things I really appreciated about Certainty is how it strips leadership down to the basics of human nature. It’s not just about motivational speeches or company mission statements; it’s about how our brains are wired. Mears breaks down how we spend most of our day running on instinct, often without realizing it. His discussion on how humans resist change not out of stubbornness but because our brains are wired to see it as a threat felt like a lightbulb moment. He explains that the key to leading people through change isn’t brute force but creating a sense of security. The simplicity of that insight hit hard.
One of the book’s strengths is its clear and consistent message about how uncertainty triggers fear, reinforcing the importance of creating psychological safety. Mears emphasizes this idea throughout, ensuring it sticks with the reader. His anecdotes from intelligence and corporate leadership are captivating, offering unique insights from high-stakes environments. I appreciated the inclusion of case studies from everyday workplaces to showcase how these concepts apply across a broader range of industries.
One of my favorite sections was the one on "Mental Prompts," which provides easy, actionable ways to create a culture of certainty. The “Vision Prompts” help clarify expectations, the “Inclusion Prompts” tap into our social bonding instincts, and the “Insight Prompts” encourage creative problem-solving. Mears makes a compelling case that small, consistent behaviors like genuine recognition or making sure everyone feels included can have a massive impact on a team. The example of CIA officer Renee, who created a high-performing unit in a war zone by focusing on trust and inclusion, was powerful.
Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation is an insightful, engaging read that makes leadership feel less like a skill you have to master and more like a mindset you can adopt. If you’re a leader (or aspiring to be one) and want to understand what truly motivates people, this book is worth your time. It’s particularly great for managers in high-pressure environments, but honestly, anyone who works with people will find something useful here. If you’ve ever been frustrated by resistance to change or struggled to inspire a team, this book will give you practical ways to flip that script. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2025
In any organization, it’s the management job to create an environment where everyone works toward the same goal while feeling free to ask questions and share their thoughts. Andrew Grove, the former CEO of Intel, believed that true progress happens when people challenge ideas rather than blindly agree. His leadership approach helped Intel become a massive success. This book, Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation, explains why good leadership is about encouraging open discussions instead of ruling with fear.
The author highlights how neuroscience supports the idea that a positive and open workplace boosts creativity and innovation. Employees should feel safe to voice their opinions rather than staying silent out of fear. The book explains that when leaders create an atmosphere of trust, it leads to better teamwork, stronger connections, and a more engaged workforce. A company where people aren’t encouraged to learn and grow can quickly become stressful and unproductive.
One of the key lessons in this book is the importance of appreciation. When bosses recognize and value their employees’ efforts, it builds motivation and trust. The book also emphasizes that a workplace without learning opportunities can harm both employee well-being and company success. Encouraging feedback, discussions, and constructive criticism helps strengthen the team and keep the work environment positive.
What stood out the most to me was how the book promotes transparency and trust within an organization. Leaders should not just focus on managing people but also on understanding them. Creating a workspace where ideas are respected and voices are heard leads to long-term success. Instead of being overly controlling, great bosses build a culture where employees feel valued and empowered.
A much recommended book for individual and bosses looking to enhnance their leadership
The author highlights how neuroscience supports the idea that a positive and open workplace boosts creativity and innovation. Employees should feel safe to voice their opinions rather than staying silent out of fear. The book explains that when leaders create an atmosphere of trust, it leads to better teamwork, stronger connections, and a more engaged workforce. A company where people aren’t encouraged to learn and grow can quickly become stressful and unproductive.
One of the key lessons in this book is the importance of appreciation. When bosses recognize and value their employees’ efforts, it builds motivation and trust. The book also emphasizes that a workplace without learning opportunities can harm both employee well-being and company success. Encouraging feedback, discussions, and constructive criticism helps strengthen the team and keep the work environment positive.
What stood out the most to me was how the book promotes transparency and trust within an organization. Leaders should not just focus on managing people but also on understanding them. Creating a workspace where ideas are respected and voices are heard leads to long-term success. Instead of being overly controlling, great bosses build a culture where employees feel valued and empowered.
A much recommended book for individual and bosses looking to enhnance their leadership
May 4, 2025
Introduction:
Traditional management approaches often clash with an inherent part of human psychology: our deep-rooted resistance to change.
This desire to cling to the familiar isn’t just personal—it’s a documented psychological condition that manifests emotionally and organizationally across workplaces.
In Certainty, author Mike Mears aligns leadership strategies with human nature, uncovering more empathetic, less painful methods to drive change, spark creativity, and foster open, constructive feedback.
His central premise is simple but powerful: leaders can increase their teams' sense of certainty, leading to more effective, motivated, and resilient organizations.
Whether you’re managing a small team or leading a corporation, influencing change is a core part of your role.
And let’s be honest—it’s often one of the hardest.
If you’ve tried shouting directives into the void, balancing threats with rewards, or relying on old-school carrot-and-stick tactics to no effect, then this book offers a much-needed course correction.
Mears structures the book into three digestible parts:
Part 1: Examines how our primal instincts shape modern office behavior.
Part 2: Unpacks how the brain resists change and how uncertainty blocks progress.
Part 3: Provides tools and prompts to foster certainty, motivation, and workplace joy.
Target Audience
Certainty is ideal for:
Leaders at Any Level: Anyone driving change will benefit from team leads to executives.
Educators and Consultants, especially those involved in leadership training or organizational growth.
Employees: For professionals seeking to understand and improve team dynamics.
Traditional management approaches often clash with an inherent part of human psychology: our deep-rooted resistance to change.
This desire to cling to the familiar isn’t just personal—it’s a documented psychological condition that manifests emotionally and organizationally across workplaces.
In Certainty, author Mike Mears aligns leadership strategies with human nature, uncovering more empathetic, less painful methods to drive change, spark creativity, and foster open, constructive feedback.
His central premise is simple but powerful: leaders can increase their teams' sense of certainty, leading to more effective, motivated, and resilient organizations.
Whether you’re managing a small team or leading a corporation, influencing change is a core part of your role.
And let’s be honest—it’s often one of the hardest.
If you’ve tried shouting directives into the void, balancing threats with rewards, or relying on old-school carrot-and-stick tactics to no effect, then this book offers a much-needed course correction.
Mears structures the book into three digestible parts:
Part 1: Examines how our primal instincts shape modern office behavior.
Part 2: Unpacks how the brain resists change and how uncertainty blocks progress.
Part 3: Provides tools and prompts to foster certainty, motivation, and workplace joy.
Target Audience
Certainty is ideal for:
Leaders at Any Level: Anyone driving change will benefit from team leads to executives.
Educators and Consultants, especially those involved in leadership training or organizational growth.
Employees: For professionals seeking to understand and improve team dynamics.
March 20, 2025
In Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation, leadership expert Mike Mears takes readers on a fascinating deep dive into the science of influence, offering practical strategies to create workplaces that hum with energy and innovation.
With a background that includes founding the CIA Leadership Academy, Mears brings a wealth of real-world experience and insider knowledge to the table. And no, you don’t need to be a spy to use these techniques—his insights apply to leaders in any industry.
The book’s central premise? Great leadership isn’t about fighting human nature—it’s about working with it. Instead of pushing against the brain’s natural instincts, Mears shows how to harness them to create motivated teams, happier workplaces, and higher performance. His style is anything but dry. With humor, engaging anecdotes, and fascinating case studies, he makes complex ideas easy to understand and even fun to read.
Unlike business books that feel like a slog, Certainty is packed with call-outs, sidebars, and illustrations that break down key concepts in a way that sticks. Whether you’re a CEO or a team leader, this book delivers powerful, actionable strategies that will change how you approach leadership.
Mike Mears doesn’t just teach leadership—he makes it entertaining, insightful, and, most importantly, effective. Five stars!
**Thanks to Mike Mears and the publisher for a review copy of Certainty. The opinions are my own.
With a background that includes founding the CIA Leadership Academy, Mears brings a wealth of real-world experience and insider knowledge to the table. And no, you don’t need to be a spy to use these techniques—his insights apply to leaders in any industry.
The book’s central premise? Great leadership isn’t about fighting human nature—it’s about working with it. Instead of pushing against the brain’s natural instincts, Mears shows how to harness them to create motivated teams, happier workplaces, and higher performance. His style is anything but dry. With humor, engaging anecdotes, and fascinating case studies, he makes complex ideas easy to understand and even fun to read.
Unlike business books that feel like a slog, Certainty is packed with call-outs, sidebars, and illustrations that break down key concepts in a way that sticks. Whether you’re a CEO or a team leader, this book delivers powerful, actionable strategies that will change how you approach leadership.
Mike Mears doesn’t just teach leadership—he makes it entertaining, insightful, and, most importantly, effective. Five stars!
**Thanks to Mike Mears and the publisher for a review copy of Certainty. The opinions are my own.
February 28, 2025
A Must-Read for Leaders!
Certainty" by Mears is a game-changing book that offers a fresh perspective on leadership. By combining neuroscience, psychology, and real-world examples, Mears provides practical advice on how to create a culture of certainty in the workplace.
I loved how Mears emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature and working with our natural inclinations, rather than against them. His insights on feedback, change management, and delegation are invaluable.
This book is a must-read for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to be one. It's a thought-provoking and inspiring read that will challenge your assumptions and help you become a better leader.
Highly recommended!
Certainty" by Mears is a game-changing book that offers a fresh perspective on leadership. By combining neuroscience, psychology, and real-world examples, Mears provides practical advice on how to create a culture of certainty in the workplace.
I loved how Mears emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature and working with our natural inclinations, rather than against them. His insights on feedback, change management, and delegation are invaluable.
This book is a must-read for anyone in a leadership position or aspiring to be one. It's a thought-provoking and inspiring read that will challenge your assumptions and help you become a better leader.
Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews