Nuno Valério

About

The Story So Far

I'm Nuno Valério -- a Portuguese tech leader living in Germany, writing books about the human operating system, and making YouTube videos about what Picard, Gandalf, and Tony Stark can teach us about leadership.

By day, I lead innovation at Merck Healthcare R&D, where I've spent 11+ years working at the intersection of quality, technology, and organizational design. I build AI frameworks, run innovation portfolios, and help teams navigate the gap between "how we've always done it" and "how it actually needs to work."

By conviction, I write. My first book -- The Council of Selves, a self-leadership framework I've been developing for years -- finally launches in Spring 2026. Alongside it, I'm finishing a dialogue between human and artificial intelligence (Configurations of Curiosity) and a manuscript that's been conceptualized for a long time about leading when machines can do everything else (The Last Human Skill). More will follow. I believe the best thinking happens at the edges, where technology meets philosophy meets storytelling.

The Quick Version

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Tech Leader

Head of Innovation at Merck Healthcare R&D. AI frameworks, innovation portfolios, org effectiveness.

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Author

Releasing The Council of Selves (Spring 2026), while finishing two more manuscripts. Writing is the thinking tool I trust most.

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YouTuber

Leaders of the Multiverse -- geek-leadership crossover content. Just starting.

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Father

Three kids: João, Nia, and Emmi. The most complex leadership challenge of all.

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Portuguese in Germany

Born in Portugal, living in Germany. Bridging cultures, languages, and perspectives daily.

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Builder

20+ projects spanning AI, personal development, content creation, and automation. Building is thinking.

Nuno Valério reading in a library
"The best thinking happens at the edges, where technology meets philosophy meets storytelling."

Fun Facts

Lifelong Benfica fan. No negotiations on this.

Believes Picard is the greatest fictional leader. Will debate this forever.

Age 47. Still learning to sit in the Chair.

Thinks the best leadership book is actually a sci-fi novel.

Has strong opinions about board games.

Runs on espresso, curiosity, and the occasional existential crisis.

Once tried surfing, was not very good at it. Continued trying.

Has 2 cats, 2 rabbits, an unknown number of fishes, and 1 dinosaur. One of these is false.

Passionate about being passionate. Polymath at heart with a generalist soul.

One day will read the full Malazan saga. It will be before he reaches 120.

Work With Me

Speaking, consulting, or just a good conversation about leadership and technology, but also geekiness, physics and the future.

Get in Touch