Psychology

Since we started really living these tools, we are now better at uncertainty than we were even two years ago. You can't go back to believing that it's too risky, you've got to keep going.

We are wired to be afraid of uncertainty – it automatically hits us as instinctively wrong, like avoid this at all costs.

You cannot get a breakthrough, you cannot get a change nor a transformation unless you are willing to take that risk by stepping into the unknown. If getting the possibility requires going through uncertainty, they are two sides of the same coin.

Controlling strength takes a lifetime to learn – and young boys need to learn about physical strength, and how to employ it constructively not destructively. A male gorilla could easily kill a baby with his thumb but we see male adult gorillas playing gently, and tenderly with babies.

Primatologist & behavioral psychologist who studies animal cognition and emotions

Gender identity drives self-socialization. People think adults socialise their children, but children socialise themselves. We see the same process in the Great Apes. Self-socialisation we see, is not limited just to humans! That's why I talk about the idea of gender in apes, not just sex.

Primatologist & behavioral psychologist who studies animal cognition and emotions

When you observe chimpanzees and other apes, you see how extremely humanlike they are in almost everything they do. We have been so indoctrinated to think we are special (as a species) that when you see an ape up close and see they are- in essence- us, you don't know what to do with those feelings.

Primatologist & behavioral psychologist who studies animal cognition and emotions

You have to make decisions throughout your life and be prepared to accept responsibility for those decisions. There is also confidence that comes from learning a set of skills – and that confidence allows you to challenge the status quo.

Former President of Nintendo of America, led iconic console era

I took the fact that I felt I wasn't good enough as a challenge. This is where I give some of my early bosses and mentors a lot of credit. They invested their time in my training and development.

Former President of Nintendo of America, led iconic console era

He had the grit and determination to go, to tell that story, and to tell the world what was happening. His experience shaped me – and shaped my own mentality of being tough, resilient, picking myself up from disappointments, and continuing to move forward.

Former President of Nintendo of America, led iconic console era

I'm also very conscious that my life was saved, and I decided, very early on, to make mine a life worth saving. I don't fritter my days away. I try to do something worthwhile each day, and with that I've become a very happy person.

Pioneering Software Engineer & Founder of Freelance Programmers Ltd

My early experience as an unaccompanied child refugee on the Kindertransport brought me to England in 1939, evading Nazi Europe. That really had an enormous impact on me, everything was different. It was such a big change, that change doesn't throw me anymore. I've learned to enjoy change, I like to do new things, make new things happen.

Pioneering Software Engineer & Founder of Freelance Programmers Ltd

Insecurity is normal, we all feel it. If you don't? you're a psychopath! This is the manager who really leads from that place of insecurity.

Harvard Business Review contributor & workplace dynamics expert

There was a revealing study which showed this too. If you tap out the rhythm to a familiar song, say 'happy birthday…' how often do you think that someone listening to your taps will guess the song? The person tapping usually guesses about 50%, but in reality, it's about 2.5%!

Harvard Business Review contributor & workplace dynamics expert

There's a concept in psychology called naïve realism. We think we see the world perfectly and assume that everyone sees it the way we do. If they don't? if they disagree? Our assumption is that they are wrong, and that they are misinformed.

Harvard Business Review contributor & workplace dynamics expert

We're only just acknowledging the importance of those relationships. They're incredibly important because when they're positive, they're a source of joy, energy, productivity, and resilience. There's a lot of research that shows that when we have friends at work, we are more resilient, and we perform better.

Harvard Business Review contributor & workplace dynamics expert

I guess the only thing I would say is if you get to the point to where you could comfortably believe that I could die tomorrow and I wouldn't regret my life, I think at least for me, I think that's where success would be.

Co-Founder of Netflix & Former Redbox CEO