95: How to Apply a Navy SEAL’s Attributes Mindset to Your Work and Leadership with Rich Diviney

In this episode of The Curious Advantage, former Navy SEAL officer and human performance expert Rich Diviney joins Simon Brown and Garrick Jones to explore what truly drives leadership, performance under pressure, and the neuroscience behind stress and fear. Drawing on two decades in the SEAL Teams, Rich breaks down why attributes and not skills determine success in high-pressure, high-uncertainty environments.

Rich explains how elite performers build situational awareness, adaptability, and neural agility, and why concepts like dynamic subordination are essential for modern leadership. He dives into the neuroscience of stress management, the role of curiosity in high-stakes decision-making, and how understanding duration, pathway, and outcome can help the brain stay calm under uncertainty.

Whether you’re leading teams, navigating complexity or curious about the psychology behind human performance, this conversation offers powerful insights into attributes, curiosity, and the mindsets required to thrive in chaotic environments.

Show Links:
Attributes Website
Attributes Hub
Rich Diviney LinkedIn
The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance book is available on Amazon

The Curious Advantage explores curiosity and its growing importance in the digital age. From history, neuroscience, and anthropology to business and culture, it takes the widest possible view of curiosity. At its heart is the ‘Sailing the 7C’s of Curiosity’ model, a practical framework to help individuals harness curiosity as a power skill for growth and transformation.

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The Curious Advantage Podcast is executive produced by Jessica Wickham and Aliki Paolinelis. Audio editing by Danny Cross and video editing by Jessica Wickham.