Dr. Bobby Parmar on Why Great Leaders Embrace Radical Doubt | EP 674

In this episode of Passion Struck , John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Bidhan “Bobby” Parmar, Shannon G. Smith Bicentennial Professor of Business Administration at UVA’s Darden School and author of Radical Doubt: Turning Uncertainty into Surefire Success . Together, they unpack why doubt isn’t a weakness to overcome but a force to harness. Bobby explains how our brains rely on three systems—pursue, protect, and pause—and why learning to strengthen the “pause” system can transform how we make decisions in moments of uncertainty. They explore why information alone doesn’t change behavior, the dangers of being a “right-answer getter,” and how to become a “better-answer maker.” Through real-world examples ranging from career paralysis to leadership dilemmas, Bobby offers tools for using doubt as a catalyst for clarity, resilience, and smarter choices. Whether you’re leading a team, making big life decisions, or simply navigating the unknown, this conversation reframes doubt as the superpower you’ve been overlooking. To learn more about Dr. Bobby Parmar: https://www.darden.virginia.edu/faculty-research/directory/bidhan-l-parmar Click here for the full shownotes! Go Deeper: The Ignited Life Substack If this episode stirred something in you, The Ignited Life is where the transformation continues. Each week, I share behind-the-scenes insights, science-backed tools, and personal reflections to help you turn intention into action. Subscribe 🔗 and get the companion resources delivered straight to your inbox. If you liked the show, please leave us a review—it only takes a moment and helps us reach more people! Don’t forget to include your Twitter or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally. Get the full companion workbook at TheIgnitedLife.net Full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnRMiles Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts Everyone deserves to feel valued and important. Show it by wearing it: https://startmattering.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .