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The Conviction Myth: Why Certainty Isn't Leadership

With Byron McCaughey · 17 June 2026

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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Transcript

Hi everyone, Byron here, psychologist for entrepreneurs. Today's In Session with Byron is while I'm walking my dog Maya. Who's there?

The topic of today is on leadership - specifically, the idea that conviction is the sign of authentic leadership. This is not correct. There is this myth that as founders we need to be 100% pointed towards a particular place, and that we need to have pure conviction - because without conviction, we're not going to succeed.

Well, the research says otherwise. Actually, what the research says is that if we're able to have conviction while also having a balanced perspective - where we actively seek out opposing views to our own - we are more likely to be successful.

Don't fall for the trap of thinking that you need to be 100% on your path, and that if you aren't, it means you don't have the necessary conviction. I want you to ask yourself: have you been avoiding contrary views? Have you been avoiding opinions that may not be your own? And if you have, go out there and find them, because all the research points to a better likelihood of the outcome that you are after.

It doesn't mean that you are flip-flopping. What it does mean is that you are cognisant of what you may not know. You go out there and you seek that, so you can make better decisions for you and for your business.

All right, I'm back to my dog walk.

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