In this episode of the Influence Anyone Podcast, host Howie Chan sits down with former Navy SEAL and best-selling author Rich Diviney, a leader in human performance and elite team development. Known for his expertise in decoding human truth, Rich shares powerful insights on how attributes, not just skills, determine our success in high-stress, uncertain situations.
Rich explains how mastering your internal world unlocks your ability to influence others, and most of all, yourself. He dives deep into the neuroscience of fear, the myth of "reaching your potential," and the everyday tactics that high performers use to thrive amid chaos.
You’ll learn how elite SEAL teams select candidates based on qualities, not capabilities, why humor is a survival mechanism, and how you can train yourself to manage anxiety and fear like a combat veteran.
Want to influence behavior and lead in uncertain times? This conversation will reshape how you view performance, growth, and the core attributes that matter most.
Episode Breakdown:
01:47 The real reason behind the Navy SEAL 300lb telephone pole training
03:39 The unconventional swim test that revealed true SEAL potential
04:50 How attributes differ from skills and why they matter
06:59 Why the Attributes Assessment wins where personality tests fail
10:37 Neuroplasticity and what it takes to change your attributes
15:57 Mastering uncertainty: one of the most important human skills
18:20 How Navy SEALs navigate real-life chaos
21:06 The neuroscience of fear and anxiety, and how to stop them from taking over
28:12 The Navy SEAL secret to make fear go away (or take a back seat)
33:14 "Chocolate-glazed donuts" and the power of humor in stressful situations
36:25 How to practice shifting horizons (even in your everyday life)
43:04 The mantra behind successful skill acquisition
45:06 Hiring for unique attributes over skills for high-performing teams
49:04 The reframe that will allow you to expedite your development
51:53 A letter to Rich Diviney’s younger self
From Our Guest:
Take Rich’s free attribute assessment here: https://hub.theattributes.com/
Get the books, The Attributes and Masters of Uncertainty.
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