Episode 50: Why Awkward People Rise Faster With Henna Pryor

What happens when the fear of looking awkward keeps you from speaking up or trying something new? How do you stop chasing perfection and start building courage instead? And what if awkward moments are actually proof that you are growing? On this episode of In Confidence, Henna Pryor, workplace performance expert, two-time TEDx speaker, and author of Good Awkward, joins Lisa to talk about awkwardness, the science of discomfort, and the confidence that comes from being brave before you feel ready. Through her research and personal stories from early career missteps to jokes that fell flat onstage she shows how naming awkwardness, lowering the stakes, and improving your comeback rate create more connection, improvement, and possibility. What we cover in this episode:

• Why our social skills are shrinking and how to rebuild them through small, deliberate interactions.
• The cringe chasm and why jumping is often the only way forward.
• The difference between awkwardness and vulnerability and how both strengthen trust.
• This week’s micro-moment, Try Something New: how embracing discomfort builds real confidence.

Let yourself be a beginner. Release the pressure to get it right immediately and discover the power that comes from showing up, trying again, and recovering faster each time. Enter Our Last Quarter Challenge Giveaway Get Your Copy of Good Awkward 00:00 Intro 01:00 Meet Henna Pryor 03:27 Are Our Social Skills Atrophying? 09:21 Henna's Best-Selling Book, Good Awkward 13:56 Vicarious Embarrassment & Your Comeback Rate 20:29 When It's Time to Jump the "Cringe Chasm" 22:06 Awkwardness vs Vulnerability 25:45 Are You Playing Not to Lose? 30:50 What's Really Holding You Back 33:16 Micro-Moment #7: Try Something New 38:03 Outro 40:29 Disclaimer Connect With Us So You Never Miss a Moment of Inspiration: Visit Our Website Get Our Best-Selling Book in Paperback Follow Gravitas on Instagram Follow Lisa on Instagram Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn Follow Gravitas on TikTok Follow Gravitas on Substack Suggestions or Questions? Email Us.