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

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