Rory Sutherland has spent decades at the heart of creativity and behavioural insight as Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, and as one of the most distinctive voices to appear on stages like TED. But in this conversation, we go far deeper than his well-known ideas on psychology and perception.

In this episode of Mentor, Rory opens up about the role of serendipity in his career — how chance encounters, unexpected missteps and playful curiosity shaped his path more than any strategic masterplan ever could.

We also explore why he believes neurodiversity is a feature, not a bug. Rory argues that organisations thrive when they embrace unusual thinkers, outliers and people whose minds don’t follow the standard linear route — because that’s where originality actually lives.

And in a classic Rory provocation, he proposes that every company should run with two boards: one focused on cost, systems and operations… and another focused entirely on customers, opportunity and growth. It’s a bold idea that reframes how organisations make decisions — and who they listen to.

This is a conversation about creativity, chance, misfits, and the surprising forces that shape a meaningful career. It’s wise, funny, challenging, and full of Rory at his most candid.

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