Steven Bartlett: Choosing Uncertainty Over Certain Misery | Who We Are EP47

Recorded live at CLOSER in Singapore, this was one of those rare sessions that reminded me of the heart behind CLOSER: to hold space for real, honest, soul-level conversations. In this conversation, Steven Bartlett opens up about his journey. He shares how he grew up as an outsider, built one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies, chose to walk away at the peak, and learned to find a fuller life beyond achievement. We also speak about what he is building today, and the lessons he has learned about making good decisions, building trust, and steering clear of the traps that hold people back. This episode is not the full conversation, but it offers a glimpse into some of the moments that moved us most. I hope something you hear in it stays with you, and maybe even shifts something in you, the way it did for me & so many others. To everyone who joined us that afternoon at CLOSER, thank you for leaning in with so much openness and heart. And to those tuning in now, I hope this conversation touches you the way it did all of us in the room. Take a breath, lean in, and come a little closer. ——— 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:31 The Childhood That Shaped Steven Bartlett 00:05:58 Delusion and Self Belief as Prerequisites for Success 00:09:28 Choosing Uncertainty Over Certain Misery 00:13:48 Becoming a Plan A Thinker 00:15:28 Stacking Skills to Increase Your Value 00:20:18 What Steven Looks For When Investing 00:25:39 Hiring and Why People Are Your Greatest Asset 00:31:27 Breaking Paper Walls and Asking Why 00:36:33 Nir Eyal on Overcoming Distraction 00:40:54 The 16 Chip Rule for Prioritizing Time 00:43:13 Working With Failure and Experimentation 00:50:15 Steven’s Most Valuable Mistake 00:52:57 Finding Your Version of a Well Lived Life Follow Rachel here:   / ms_rach   Follow Steven Bartlett here:   / steven