Meet Laurie Bowman, an author who has a background in engineering, neuroscience, and business strategy. His career spans major infrastructure projects, corporate leadership, and mentoring, giving him a unique perspective on decision-making and resilience.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Laurie and getting to know him and his writing process. You can find the entire interview below:
Table of Contents
Can you tell us about your background and how it influenced you wanting to be a writer?
My background is in engineering, risk management, and project leadership, fields where uncertainty is a constant companion. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working internationally and have seen uncertainty handled in ways that were not only effective but inspiring—where leaders created clarity, aligned people with shared values, and adapted with agility.
In contrast, I’ve also witnessed situations, both in public and private organisations, where uncertainty was handled poorly. In some cases, a lack of clarity, trust, or adaptability led to missed opportunities, deep divisions, fatalities and lasting harm.
I’ve seen the same divergence at the individual level. Some people grow through uncertainty, using it as a catalyst for reflection and action. Others feel overwhelmed, sometimes with devastating consequences. In 2024, I lost a family friend who was a trusted advisor to many and had encouraged me to write this book when I last saw him in April that year. His passing was a stark reminder of the human cost when uncertainty becomes too heavy to bear.
I had always wanted to write about this topic, but those experiences gave the work a new urgency and depth. I wanted to create something that could help people – whether they lead large organisations or simply navigate their own decisions – develop the skills, mindset, and frameworks to face uncertainty with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion. Writing became the way to share that message as widely as I could.
Do you have any early literary influences that inspired you to become a writer?
While I didn’t grow up immersed in classical literature, I was deeply influenced later in life by works that blend rigorous research with practical insight. Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow and Noise opened my eyes to the hidden forces shaping our decisions. Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein demonstrated how small changes in context can have a profound effect on behaviour, while Superforecasting by Philip Tetlock and Dan Gardner showed how disciplined thinking and open-mindedness can improve our ability to anticipate the future. These books inspired me to write in a way that makes complex ideas accessible, actionable, and grounded in evidence so readers can apply them directly to both their personal and professional lives.
Can you describe your typical writing process?
For me, writing began from identifying an opportunity to help people navigate uncertainty in a way that creates value and reduces harm. That intention keeps me motivated and focused.
From there, I follow a cycle that’s structured yet adaptive: planning, developing, testing, gathering feedback, and refining in an agile way. It’s a bit like preparing a complex dish, sourcing the right ingredients (ideas, case studies, stories), blending them thoughtfully, and adjusting until the flavours are balanced.
Because I’m constantly observing and reflecting on how people respond to uncertainty, I’ve built an evolving library of notes and examples to draw upon. Each draft is a recipe in progress, tasted, refined, and sometimes reimagined, until it feels ready to serve.
Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you in your writing routine?
My days start at 5 a.m. with exercise, not only to energise my body but to let my mind wander. During that time, I explore ideas for the book, looking for “ingredients” that could add depth or flavour.
After the workout, I spend an hour or two capturing and developing those ideas into a rough “recipe.” Then, as I move through my day job, the book quietly simmers in the background. Insights emerge unexpectedly during meetings, on commutes, or in conversations and I capture them immediately.
Later in the day, I return to the manuscript with a fresh perspective, adding detail and structure to the ideas formed earlier. I end the day with quiet reflection or meditation, tuning into the essence of what I’m trying to express. Even when I am resting, my phone is always nearby to record late-night flashes of inspiration.
It’s less about rigid scheduling and more about allowing ideas to develop, blend, and mature over time.
What goes into your research process when writing a book such as Dealing with Uncertainty?
The research for Dealing with Uncertainty has been building for over 11 years, including three years of PhD research (which I didn’t complete but which laid a strong academic foundation).
I draw heavily from my professional work in risk management, assurance, and leadership, combined with academic research. I regularly speak with clients and peers which helps the concepts remain practical and relevant.
I’ve collected a diverse range of experiences, insights, and case studies over the years. In my day-to-day work as a trainer and advisor, I test these “ingredients” in real situations seeing which combinations work, which need more seasoning, and which should be set aside. By the time a manuscript is complete, it’s been refined through countless iterations until the flavours are balanced and nourishing.
How would you describe your work ‘Dealing with Uncertainty’?
Dealing with Uncertainty is part handbook, part conversation, blending research, professional experience, and personal reflection. It explores the art and science of resilience and decision-making in our increasingly complex and fast-changing world, offering practical tools and deeper insights into how we think, feel, and act under pressure.
It combines the finest “ingredients” from behavioural science, neuroscience, systems thinking, and real-world case studies. Each chapter is designed to be both nourishing and easy to digest, so readers can immediately apply the ideas in their personal and professional lives. My goal was to serve something that not only informs but sustains readers in uncertain times.
What was the inspiration for this book?
The book grew from both professional observation and deeply personal experience. Over more than a decade, I’ve seen uncertainty managed exceptionally well and disastrously poorly. At an organisational level, I’ve worked with both public and private companies navigating high-stakes challenges. In recent years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about large public infrastructure projects where the inability to effectively address uncertainty has led to flawed investment decisions, cost overruns, and missed opportunities to deliver safe, sustainable outcomes.
At a personal level, I’ve seen individuals either grow stronger through uncertainty or feel crushed by it. In 2024, a family friend, a trusted advisor to many, and someone who had encouraged me to write this book, took his own life. That loss brought home the human cost when uncertainty becomes overwhelming.
I had always intended to write about this topic, but these experiences gave it urgency. If this book could help even one person—or one organisation—develop greater clarity, confidence, and resilience in the face of unpredictability, it would be worth every moment spent writing it.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
Without question, it’s been the feedback from readers. I’m deeply grateful to the people who have taken the time to reach out and share how the book has helped them, whether it was making a tough decision, seeing a challenge from a new perspective, or simply feeling more confident in uncertain times.
I feel genuinely humbled by these messages. They remind me that the book isn’t just something to be read, it’s something to be lived, adapted, and applied in real situations. Knowing that my work has touched someone’s life in a positive and practical way is both humbling and incredibly rewarding. It’s a privilege to be trusted with those stories, and it inspires me to keep writing and sharing.
Can we expect more books in your future?
Yes. I’m working on Beyond Uncertainty, a more philosophical book aimed particularly at Western professionals caught in the rat race. It’s about appreciating the significance of spirituality—not as religion, but as a source of meaning, balance, and perspective—before it’s too late.
Are there new genres or themes you’re eager to explore in the future?
Absolutely. I’d like to explore the intersection of science, systems thinking, and spirituality, bridging the analytical with the reflective so people can think more clearly and live more fully.
Is there anything you would do differently for future books?
I’d involve readers earlier, sharing ideas, testing chapters, and gathering feedback before the manuscript is finalised. Much like adjusting a recipe mid-cook, the best results come when you listen to those you’re serving.
Advice for Aspiring Writers
What advice would you give to aspiring writers in this field trying to get published?
Start with service in mind. Ask, “Who am I trying to help, and how?” That intention will carry you through the challenges. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—write consistently, and let your ideas evolve.
Are there specific writing habits or techniques that you believe contribute to success?
Yes. Write regularly, even if briefly. Capture ideas the moment they arise. Seek feedback early and read widely, especially beyond your own field, to bring new “flavours” into your work.
What do you hope readers take away from your books?
I hope readers feel more equipped and more willing to face life’s uncertainty. Not by trying to eliminate it, but by understanding it, working with it, and finding meaning in it. If they can pause, reflect, and act in alignment with their values, then the book has done its job. My hope is that they leave not just informed, but nourished for the journey ahead.
Celebrating an Australian Author
Thank you to Laurie for his time in answering our questions and his great insight into his writing process. You can read Dealing with Uncertainty now and keep an eye out for Laurie’s next book.