Dr Thomas Curran is a motivational speaker, bestselling author and Associate Professor of Psychology at the London School of Economics. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on perfectionism and its impact on wellbeing, performance and resilience. His mission is to help people break free from the pressure to be perfect and discover healthier, more fulfilling ways to live and work.
Thomas’s journey began with a PhD in psychology and has since led him to an international academic career, with research that has transformed how perfectionism is understood. His groundbreaking studies revealed how perfectionism has risen dramatically over recent decades, shaping everything from student mental health to workplace burnout. This research culminated in his global TED Talk, "Our Dangerous Obsession with Perfectionism is Getting Worse," which has been viewed more than three million times.
In 2023, Thomas published his debut book, "The Perfection Trap," which became a bestseller and a powerful resource for individuals and organisations seeking to tackle toxic perfectionism. Alongside his book, his insights have been featured in outlets including The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, TIME, the BBC and the Financial Times. His work offers science-based strategies to build resilience, embrace imperfection and unlock potential.
As a speaker, Thomas is authentic, engaging and deeply relatable. He combines academic expertise with practical tools, helping audiences reframe their relationship with success and failure. Whether speaking to students, business leaders or global organisations, he inspires audiences to let go of unrealistic expectations, focus on progress rather than perfection and create space for creativity, growth and genuine happiness.
