Insights

Founder Psychology

Two ongoing series on the psychology of founding, leading, and lasting. Bite size articles and video by Byron.

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Short Tales of Psychology

Bite-sized essays on the inner game of building a company - what the research says, and what it looks like in the founder's chair.

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ConfidencePerformance Psychology3 min

Carlos Alcaraz: On Belief Under Pressure

Watching Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open 2026, I noticed something: when the pressure rises, so does his willingness to take risks. What founders can learn about belief, and the quiet pull of a loss-avoidance mindset.

Performance Psychology3 min

James Dyson: Success Through Failure - And How To Stop Avoiding It

James Dyson endured 5,126 failed prototypes before the bagless vacuum worked. The real barrier for founders isn’t failure itself - it’s the quiet habit of avoiding the feeling of being wrong.

Authenticity3 min

Michael J. Fox: On Fear & Authenticity - A Parkinson's Story

For seven years Michael J. Fox hid his Parkinson's diagnosis, terrified of rejection. When he finally let the mask drop, audiences embraced him - a story about fear, authenticity and the cost of hiding who we are.

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In Session with Byron

Insights and strategies from behind closed doors - what really comes up in psychological performance sessions with founders, and what you can take from it.

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Rumination vs Reflection: How to Escape Thought Loops

In this episode of In Session with Byron, psychologist Byron McCaughey tackles rumination - that post-board-meeting, post-pitch spiral where you can't stop replaying what you said and analysing what they said. Rumination is not the same as reflection. Reflection means considering what happened, extracting the useful information, and moving on. Rumination is a loop - and the research is clear that it correlates with anxiety and depressive outcomes. On a practical level, it also means you're never fully present for the next thing: the work in front of you, time with your partner, moments with family. Learn the critical difference between reflection and rumination, a simple diagnostic question - have I learnt anything new from thinking about this in the last 24 hours? - and how grounding in your senses pulls you out of the loop, because the brain can't attend to the present and replay the past at the same time. If the answer to that question is no, you're ruminating. Come back to the present.

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The Conviction Myth: Why Certainty Isn't Leadership

In this episode of In Session with Byron - filmed while walking his dog Maya - psychologist Byron McCaughey takes on a persistent leadership myth: that conviction means being 100% certain of your path, and anything less is a sign you don't have what it takes. The research says otherwise. Leaders who hold conviction while actively seeking out opposing views are more likely to succeed than those locked onto a single perspective. Questioning your direction isn't flip-flopping - it's being cognisant of what you may not know. Learn why pure conviction is a trap, not a leadership requirement, what the research actually says about balanced perspective and success, and a question to ask yourself: have you been avoiding views that aren't your own? Go find the opinions that challenge yours. You'll make better decisions for you and your business.

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Why You Avoid What's Good For You (And How to Stop)

In this episode of In Session with Byron, psychologist Byron McCaughey breaks down avoidance - why we don't do the things we know are right for us, and how a small shift in how we relate to our thoughts can make a huge impact. Speaking up at work. Posting your opinion on LinkedIn. Starting the business. Making the pivot. Your mind sees the potential bad outcomes - the argument, the criticism, the failure - and steps in with protective behaviours to keep you safe. The problem? Constantly avoiding what matters comes at a cost to your energy, motivation and wellbeing. Learn why avoidance is your mind's protection mechanism at work - not a personal flaw - the hidden cost of continually avoiding the things that would make your life better, and a simple way to thank your mind and take action anyway. Because the bad outcome your mind is protecting you from is rarely as bad as the cost of a life spent avoiding it.

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