Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation

Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation

“A compelling framework for rethinking leadership.”—Reedsy Discovery “A distinctively original, neuroscience-based approach to management.”—Midwest Book Review “Practical strategies to create workplaces that hum with energy and innovation.”—Amy Hagberg, Author SEVEN TIMES AWARD-WINNER • Top 5 Bestseller in Business Teams • Top 100 in Management & Leadership. A revolutionary and indispensable guide to dramatically increase trust, engagement, and innovation in the people you lead by using practical, brain-friendly tools in habitual, consistent ways. 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 answer: 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, including: 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. Ready to become the leader everyone wants to follow? Order your copy of Certainty now. "A distinctively original, neuro-science based approach to management. Especially and unreservedly recommended." -Midwest Book Review "Humans crave certainty, and uncertainty often triggers fear, resistance, and poor decision-making. 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." -Literary Titan " Certainty is for both aspiring and veteran leaders. Thoroughly engaging. Very informative, educational, and inspirational. Highly recommended!" -Readers' Favorite "Understanding human nature—and working with it, rather than against it—will help business leaders nurture positive relationships with their employees. Innovative resource." -booklife Reviews "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. Mears doesn't just teach leadership—he makes it entertaining, insightful, and, most importantly, effective." -Amy Hagberg, Author "Filled with psychological insights, the leadership guide Certainty is about harnessing human nature to win people over and foster innovation." -Foreword Clarion "A thought-provoking read for leaders, managers, and anyone interested in the intersection of psychology and organizational behavior. A compelling framework for rethinking leadership—one that prioritizes empathy, trust, and alignment with the human mind. A worthwhile addition to any professional's library." -Reedsy Discovery Mike Mears is a leadership expert, bestselling author, and former CIA Chief of Human Capital. As the founder of the CIA Leadership Academy, he trained managers and senior executives in practical leadership strategies grounded in neuroscience and human behavior. Before joining the CIA, Mike served as Senior Vice President at GE Investments, where he earned his Six Sigma Black Belt and worked closely with leadership legend Jack Welch. He has also launched several small business startups and commanded a nuclear missile site, giving him a rare blend of corporate, entrepreneurial, and national security leadership experience. Mike's latest book,  Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation , reveals how leaders can instantly become more effective by aligning their leadership approach with human nature. Based on decades of consulting and his analysis of over 8,000 leaders,  Certainty  delivers practical, science-backed strategies for inspiring trust, influencing others, and driving change—without triggering resistance. As a keynote speaker and advisor, Mike shares insights with organizations across business, government, and academia, helping leaders at all levels enhance their impact. He is a graduate of West Point and Harvard Business School.