Featured Interview With Richard Reid
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Birmingham, UK. I now live in Cape Town, South Africa, with my wife and children. Prior to that, we lived in London and, more recently, on the Isle of Man.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
From the moment I could decipher letters on a page, books became my portal to other worlds. As an unusually early reader, I didn’t just enjoy books – I devoured them, finding in their pages companions and adventures long before I fully understood the power they held over my imagination.
My intellectual journey found its true north in the classical world. The epic tales of Homer, the philosophical inquiries of Aristotle, and the political machinations of the Roman Senate captured my mind so completely that I pursued a formal education in Ancient Greek and Roman history and literature. There was something profoundly moving about connecting with voices from thousands of years ago, discovering that human nature – with all its brilliance and folly – remains remarkably consistent across millennia.
University became the crucible where my passive love of words transformed into active creation. My early writing experiments took the form of comedy – short, punchy pieces that taught me the rhythm of language and the power of unexpected turns. Comedy writing disciplined my thinking; after all, few skills hone precision like crafting the perfect punchline.
As my perspective broadened and deepened over the years, so too did my writing. What began as playful exploration evolved into a serious intellectual pursuit. Today, my work spans comprehensive books and evidence-based whitepapers that bridge the realms of business and psychology—fields that, like ancient history, deal fundamentally with human behaviour, motivation, and systems of organisation.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite genre centres on Behavioural Economics and Organisational Psychology – books that blend data-driven research with real-world business case studies.
I’m inspired by writers and researchers who use real experiments and stories to shed light on why people and organisations do what they do, and how understanding psychology can make businesses more innovative, ethical, and effective.
My favourite authors to read are:
1. Daniel Kahneman: “Thinking, Fast and Slow” is foundational for understanding decision making and cognitive biases in business.
2. Robert Cialdini: “Influence” is essential reading on the psychology of persuasion—a cornerstone for business leaders and marketers.
3. Adam Grant: His books (“Give and Take,” “Originals,” “Think Again”) blend psychological research with practical workplace advice.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is entitled “Charisma Unlocked: The Science and Strategy to Captivate, Influence, and Succeed in Business”.
It is targeted at those in professional development, business networking, and executive roles who are looking to stand out using real psychological tools. It is about using business psychology to influence behaviour, elevate communication, and lead with authenticity.
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