Ep. 114: Tikiri Herath - Rebel Divas, Writing, Books and how to Risk Manage the Hell Out of Your Fears

Sep 4, 2019

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This is a conversation about uncertainty and decision-making - for certain – but it’s also one about culture, travel, books, writing, the way women are treated, justice, and career transitions. And it’s also a super fun one.

My guest is Tikiri Herath. Tikiri is an award-winning author who has written four fiction (thrillers) and four non-fiction books that focus on overcoming fears and uplifting women around the world. Tikiri’s books and work are reflective of her own very interesting background. She was born in Sri Lanka, considers herself to be Zambian, and lived in seven countries growing up including Canada and apartheid-era South Africa. Throughout her upbringing and travels, she became very drawn to the way women are treated around the world and in the different countries in which she has lived. She has woven these experiences into her work.

Tikiri’s first career was as a civil servant for the Canadian government. In fact, she worked in Brussels as part of Canada’s mission to NATO, amongst other things. However, this wasn’t where her passion was. So, as you’ll hear she “risk managed the hell” out of her career to become the successful author she is now. There are some wonderful lessons in all of that about fear, decision-making and uncertainty (and you can even get a free copy of one Tikiri’s books on this topic The Fear Buster).

We also cover off why Tikiri thinks the predominantly Asian concept of “saving face” is problematic as well as why a number of cultural traditions need to be discarded. There is loads of other great stuff in between!

Show notes:

Tikiri's website

Get a copy of Tikiri’s book The Fear Buster

Tikiri on Twitter

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Jeff Bezos on decisions

Kayt Sukel on All Things Risk