Praise can be a powerful tool formotivation, but did you know it can also have unintended consequences? Whetherit's making someone more vulnerable to future challenges or even backfiring ina conversation, the way we offer praise matters. In both personal andprofessional settings, it's essential to consider how and why we give feedback.

#CommunicationPsychology #Feedback#Motivation #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthMindset #WorkplaceCulture#PsychologyInBusiness

References

Brehm, J. W.,& Brehm, S. S. (1981). Psychologicalreactance: A theory of freedom and control.Academic Press.

Müller, C. M., & Dweck, C. S.(1999). Praise and personality: Implications for the development ofcompetence and motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,77(4), 868-879. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.77.4.868

Schulz von Thun, F. (2008). Miteinander reden von A bis Z: DiePsychologie der Kommunikation (1st ed.). RowohltTaschenbuch Verlag.

Conflict doesn’t always look the way we expect it. Just because there’s no visible tension, doesn’t mean everything is fine. In my latest episode, I explore how unspoken misunderstandings and hidden conflicts can silently affect your team’s engagement, collaboration, and retention. It’s time to rethink what “conflict” really means in the workplace.

#ConflictManagement #HR #TeamDynamics #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalCulture

References

Allen, D. G.,& Griffeth, R. W. (2001). Employeeturnover and retention: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 1134-1151.https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.5.1134

De Dreu, C. K. W., & Gelfand, M.J. (2008). Conflict in the workplace: A dynamic perspective. InternationalJournal of Conflict Management, 19(3), 210-232.https://doi.org/10.1108/10444060810877517

Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton,B. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in (3rded.). Penguin Books.

Jehn, K. A. (1995). A multimethodexamination of the benefits and detriments of intragroup conflict. AdministrativeScience Quarterly, 40(2), 256-282. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393395

Thomas, K. W. (1992). Conflictand conflict management: Reflections and update. Journal of OrganizationalBehavior, 13(3), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030130307

Ever had second thoughts after a tough conversation?
That nagging “I should have said…” feeling usually isn’t about wit orluck—it’s about preparation. Psychologist Friedemann Schulz von Thun shows howour Inner Team can make or break communication.

Which team members show up when youspeak—and which ones are missing?

👉 Discover how to train your Inner Team and walk into yournext conversation prepared.

#CommunicationSkills#LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #SelfAwareness#PublicSpeaking

References

Böckler, A.,Bräuer, J., Grosse Holtforth, M., & Ehrenthal, J. C. (2020). Know thy selves: Learning to understand oneself increasesthe ability to understand others.Frontiers inPsychology, 11.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.571746 PMC

Hodgdon, H. B.,van der Kolk, B., Southwell, K., Hrubec, T., & Schwartz, R. C. (2021). Internal Family Systems Therapy for Posttraumatic StressDisorder Among Survivors of Multiple Childhood Trauma. Journal of TraumaticStress, 34(3), 652-662. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2021.2013375Tandfonline+1

Schulz von Thun, F. (1998). Miteinander reden 3: Das Innere Teamund situationsgerechte Kommunikation: Kommunikation, Person, Situation. Reinbek bei Hamburg, Germany:Rowohlt. PMC+1

Schwartz, R.C., Sweezy, M. (2019). InternalFamily Systems Skills Training Manual: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Anxiety,Depression, PTSD & Self-Esteem.Oakland, CA: Internal Family Systems Institute. IFS Institute

Van der Kolk, B., Hodgdon, H. B.,& Schwartz, R. C. (2024). Online Group-Based Internal Family SystemsTreatment for PTSD: Feasibility and Acceptability of the Program. Journal ofClinical Psychology, 80(8), 1374-1390. PMC

Ever notice a lively conversation inside your own mind—each voice nudging you in a different direction? Mastering these inner voices is the first step to clearer, more authentic communication with the world.

#InnerDialogue #SelfAwareness #CommunicationPsychology #InnerTeam #LeadershipFromWithinReferences

López-Jiménez, A. M., &Rodríguez-Testal, J. F. (2016). Relationship between inner dialog andideas of reference and the mediating role of dissociation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12344

Oleś, P. K., & Brinthaupt, T. M. (2020). Types of inner dialogues andfunctions of self-talk: Comparisons and implications. Frontiers inPsychology, 11, 227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00227

Van der Ven, E., & Peled-Avron, L. (2015). Bringing the “self” intofocus: Conceptualising the role of self-experience for understanding andworking with distressing voices. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01129

Schulz von Thun, F. (2003). Miteinanderreden 3: Das innere Team und situationsgerechte Kommunikation. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt.

Public speaking is rehearsed, scripted, and predictable. But what about theconversations we can’t plan—the ones that take unexpected turns, stir emotions,or shift roles on the spot? In this episode of The Unscripted Challenge, we explore why real-life conversationsoften feel harder than stepping onto a stage—and how you can navigate them withmore confidence.

References

Afifi, W. A., & Weiner, J. L. (2004). Toward a theory of motivatedinformation management. CommunicationTheory, 14(2), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00310.x

Kaneko, A. (2024). Communication apprehension in the workplace: The role ofposition and facilitation skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. Advanceonline publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906241295696

Lillie, T., Venetis, M. K., &Chernichky-Karcher, S. (2023). Resilience communication mitigates thenegative relational effects of topic avoidance: Evidence from parentalcaregiving and COVID-19 pandemic contexts. Personal Relationships, 30(4), 1252–1273. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12508

McCroskey, J. C., Beatty, M. J., Kearney, P., & Plax, T. G. (1985). Thecontent validity of the PRCA-24 as a measure of communication apprehensionacross communication contexts. CommunicationQuarterly, 33(3), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463378509369595

Every team has a “difficult person”—the colleague who always says no, challenges every idea, or seems impossibly negative. But what if that behavior actually reflects a hidden virtue? In this episode, we explore how recognizing the good in the bad can transform difficult conversations and bring more balance to your team.

References

Baege, M. (2018). Bowen family systems theory. Vermont Center forFamily Studies. Retrieved fromhttps://vermontcenterforfamilystudies.org/about/bowen-family-systems-theory/

Brown, J., & Errington, L. (2024). Bowen family systems theory andpractice: Illustration and critique revisited. ResearchGate. Retrievedfrom https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jenny-Brown-2/publication/381014808_Bowen_family_systems_theory_and_practice_Illustration_and_critique_revisited/links/66829e8e0a25e27fbc1a1f34/Bowen-family-systems-theory-and-practice-Illustration-and-critique-revisited.pdf

Schulz von Thun, F. (1989). DasWerte- und Entwicklungsquadrat. Schulz von Thun Institut. Retrievedfrom https://www.schulz-von-thun.de/die-modelle/das-werte-und-entwicklungsquadrat

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. (n.d.). Introduction toBowen theory. Retrieved from https://www.thebowencenter.org/introduction-eight-concepts

Verywell Mind. (2022, January 10). What is family systems therapy?.Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/family-systems-therapy-definition-techniques-and-efficacy-5213785

We often hear that growth begins only outside our comfort zone. But the truth is more nuanced: sustainable progress happens in the learning zone, not when we’re thrown into panic. In this episode, I’ll share why keeping some areas of stability is vital if we want to grow boldly in others.

#ComfortZone #LearningZone #PersonalGrowth #CommunicationSkills#PsychologicalSafety #Coaching #LeadershipDevelopment #Resilience#GrowthMindset #SelfDevelopment

Literature

Bodie, G. D. (2010). A racing heart,rattling knees, and ruminative thoughts: Defining, explaining, and treatingpublic speaking anxiety. Communication Education, 59(1), 70–105.https://doi.org/10.1080/03634520903443849

Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow:The psychology of optimal experience. New York: Harper & Row.

McKenzie, M. (2003). Beyond “theoutward bound process”: Rethinking student learning. Journal of ExperientialEducation, 26(1), 8–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/105382590302600104

White, A. (2009). From comfort zoneto performance management: Understanding development and performance. Journalof Management Development, 28(5), 414–427.https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710910955985

Yerkes, R. M., & Dodson, J. D.(1908). The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit‐formation. Journalof Comparative Neurology and Psychology, 18(5), 459–482.https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.920180503

"Conflict isn’t always destructive—in fact, when harnessed correctly, it can sharpen ideas, drive clarity, and ignite innovation. Whether through rigorous debate or structured task-related tension, the right kind of conflict—with psychological safety and respectful handling—can transform discord into discovery."

#ConflictProductivity #InnovationThroughDebate #PsychologicalSafety #GrowthMindset #Leadership