‘Good Awkward' Can Actually Make You More Credible

.
For some people, it's easier to floss with barbed wire than to navigate their way through a moment of awkwardness.
It doesn't have to be that way, and Henna Pryor offers a bounty of smart advice in her wonderfully readable book Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become the Bravest You.
Pryor flips the script on awkwardness and shows how those uncomfortable, cringe-worthy moments can actually be powerful catalysts for personal and professional success.
She cites a study she led showing that 30% of employees would rather scrub a toilet than ask for help. The purpose of the study was to explore what she calls 'social muscle atrophy.' She says people's social skills have been declining for decades, and the decline accelerated during the pandemic. Surprising to some, the decline is seen in all generations, not just among younger people.
Pryor's research also uncovers what she calls 'false self-sufficiency' where 43% of executives feel they must handle everything alone. Apparently, they regard collaboration as awkward.
So, what's the difference between being awkward and being inept?
Henna Pryor
'Awkwardness is a social emotion of discomfort,' Pryor says, 'while ineptitude implies a deep lack of competence or skill. It's possible to be highly competent and still experience moments of awkwardness.'
Pryor talks about the cost of avoiding awkwardness. 'Sometimes in our quest to be seen as credible and professional and sophisticated we forget the value of our humanity,' she says. 'Today, especially in this age of AI, humans are fatigued by the overly polished, blurred, perfected versions of other people. When we try to avoid awkwardness, we actually lose the very thing that makes us relatable and trustworthy. That's our human edge.'
Despite an assumption some may draw from her book title, Pryor is not talking about introversion. She describes herself as 'a textbook extrovert' and underscores that the struggle with declining social muscles can affect any personality.
Another surprising point made by Pryor: empathy is an awkwardness accelerator.
'I'm certainly not suggesting that empathy is a bad thing,' Pryor says. 'But there's a specific type of empathy that can cause problems for people who are trying to take more risks and be more bold or put themselves out there more. It's called EEE—a phenomenon referred to as easily empathetically embarrassed. Other terms for it are vicarious embarrassment or secondhand embarrassment.'
.
What does that look like? Picture someone stepping to a podium to give a speech. They mispronounce someone's name and, even though you're not the one speaking at the podium, you feel embarrassed on the speaker's behalf. Why is that a problem in excess? First, the speaker may not be feeling embarrassment at all. Secondly, if you are so easily empathetically embarrassed for someone else, it's going to be hard for you to take chances yourself.
Rehearsal and repetition, Pryor says, can help people deal with a potentially awkward situation.
'Social muscles are like any muscles,' she says. 'Rehearsal and repetition are the sort of proverbial push-ups for social moments, especially an awkward situation. If you practice for awkward situations like difficult conversations, you're building that social and mental muscle memory. That helps you feel more prepared and less flustered when one of those real moments inevitably hits.'
If you're like many people, you spend a good deal of time in meetings. One tip Pryor offers is starting a meeting with a 'bad idea brainstorm.'
'Sure, that sounds crazy at first,' Pryor says. 'But innovation often emerges when people feel safe to put ideas on the table that may initially seem unrealistic.'
Sort of like suggesting that a wireless device that fits in your pocket could serve as a telephone, a music and video player, a camera, and much more.
A bad idea brainstorm, Pryor says, helps mentally rewire people to value contribution.
It also helps them realize that 'good awkward' is a treasured moment, not an oxymoron.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

ChatGPT has the answers. Great leaders have the questions

Any time someone in the U.S. meets someone from the UK, one question reliably follows: 'Where should I eat when I visit London?' It's meant to be friendly. Helpful. But it rarely lands. Are they into sticky bangers and mash or upscale fusion small plates? Traveling with toddlers? In-laws? Gluten-free? (And yes—for the record—British food isn't that bad anymore. They've mostly moved on from grey meat and boiled peas.) Still, it says something about the culture. In the U.S., advice is more than a suggestion—it's practically a greeting. And now, so does everyone else. The internet will flood you with will make it sound none of it will tell you what you actually need. We're not short on answers. What we're short on is space to think. In leadership especially, that space is everything. Because leadership isn't about having the best advice. ACT Leadership explains how leaders need to know when to ask a question with these four magic words: What do you think? When training leaders to become coaches, the number one challenge is: Letting go of the need to give advice. It's not just mental—it's literally cover their mouths to stop the words from spilling out. Rarely do more than 20% of leaders in training find this advice useful. Why? Because advice usually skips over the human and aims straight for the problem. You're not them. You don't know what they've tried. You haven't gotten curious about how they think or what they care about. Advice feels efficient. But it often leaves people feeling misunderstood—and no closer to their own clarity. And what they appreciate most? Space to think out loud. Now imagine Jane. She's got a huge presentation coming up and finally admits to her manager that she's feeling anxious. 'Go for a run beforehand,' the manager says. 'It always calms me down.''Picture the audience naked!' someone else adds.'Deep breathing. Trust me—it's magic.' All of it is well-meaning, but none of it nods politely but walks away feeling smaller. And deep down, you probably know what that nod 'Thanks,' followed by, 'This isn't actually helping.' As CEO and co-founder of NeuroLeadership Institute, David Rock, explains, advice can backfire. It threatens status. It makes people feel judged, not you meant as encouragement can land like condescension. Leadership is about helping the lightbulb go off in someone else's head. That's what development is about—building others' capacity to solve problems, without relying on you. When a person makes a connection for themselves. When insight comes from within, the brain literally fires differently. New pathways. Neural energy. This is the circuitry of confidence. As Donald Hebb's principle puts it: 'What fires together, wires together.' And nothing fires like your own insight. This is how we learn. And more importantly, it's how we grow. Dr. Robin Rose, professor at Brown University's School of Professional Studies, puts it beautifully in just four words: 'What do you think?' Not 'What should you do?'Not 'Have you tried…?'Just that one, respectful, catalytic question. It's an invitation. A signal of trust. A belief in the other person's capability to figure things out—with a bit of space, support, and the dignity of ownership. As Ron Heifetz, author of 'Leadership Without Easy Answers,' writes: 'The work of leadership is to put the responsibility for solving the problem back in the hands of the people with the problem.' That's not avoidance. That's development. You can't grow someone else's muscles for can hand them a them. Encourage they have to lift. And in leadership, 'What do you think?' might be the single most powerful weight in your hands. This question matters more now than ever. We're living in a fast-moving, high-complexity world. The people closest to the challenge—your team—often have more context than you do. They know the customer. They see the details. They're in the work. If every decision runs through you, the system slows. They become dependent. You become overwhelmed. And often, you lose the customer. But when you create space for others to think for themselves? You build unlock free yourself up to….lead. The next time you're about to give advice, pause, and instead, try four simple words: 'What do you think?' Ask ideas lightly—if at all. Because in a world where ChatGPT has the answers, great leaders have the questions. This story was produced by ACT Leadership and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

News24

an hour ago

• News24

Voluntary co-funding of Transformation Fund will bring real change

Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()

Yahoo

an hour ago

• Yahoo

15 Red Flags You're Being Love-Bombed By Someone Dangerous

Navigating the world of modern romance can feel like tiptoeing through a field scattered with both wildflowers and landmines. Love bombing is one such explosive phenomenon—a dizzying, whirlwind of intense affection that leaves you feeling as though you've been swept off your feet, only to potentially crash land later. This tactic isn't merely about affection or courtship but can be a strategy employed by individuals with less-than-healthy intentions. Recognizing the signs early could save you from a world of emotional turmoil. From the get-go, you're inundated with grand gestures: think extravagant gifts, spontaneous weekend getaways, or declarations of undying love that feel a bit too soon. It's like you've just stepped into a romantic comedy montage, but something about it feels off. These gestures are designed to create a whirlwind, where you're swept away in the emotion and excitement. However, beneath this surface, there's often a hidden agenda at play, seeking to gain control over your emotional landscape. As Dr. Lisa Firestone, a clinical psychologist, explains, love bombing is often a technique used by individuals with narcissistic tendencies to create dependency quickly. They use it as a way to distract you from noticing red flags, keeping you ensnared in their web. This overwhelming affection isn't about you; it's about their need to dominate the narrative of the relationship. It's a manipulative tactic, masquerading as romance, that prioritizes their needs over your well-being. Promises spill from their lips with ease, painting a picture of a future that seems straight out of a fairy tale. Yet, when it comes time to see these promises through, they often fall short. This inconsistency creates a confusing push-pull dynamic that keeps you guessing, always waiting for that next promise to be fulfilled. It's a classic bait-and-switch, keeping you hooked with the allure of what could be, rather than what is. The promises serve as a smokescreen, distracting you from the reality of the situation, one where actions speak louder than words. This inconsistency breeds an unsteady foundation, where you're forever navigating a relationship that feels more like a mirage than solid ground. The emotional high from those promises is addictive but inevitably leads to disappointment. It's a sign that you're entrapped in more fantasy than reality. Being the focal point of someone's universe can feel intoxicating, like you're the star performer on the grandest stage. They shower you with attention, claim to have found their soulmate in you, and suddenly, it's like you're under a spotlight you never asked for. But the intensity isn't sustainable, and if you step back, you might notice how this behavior serves to isolate you from your own world. It's designed to create dependency, making it difficult for you to step away. Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist specializing in narcissism, emphasizes that this hyper-focus often comes with strings attached. It can quickly turn from admiration to suffocation, where your autonomy is eclipsed by their need for control. The attention isn't unconditional; it's contingent upon their desires, which can swiftly change. The facade of being the center of their universe is less about love and more about control disguised as devotion. One moment you're on cloud nine, basking in the warmth of their affection, and the next, you're plummeting into a cold, bewildering silence. This seesaw of emotions is both thrilling and disorienting, leaving you in a constant state of emotional whiplash. It's designed to keep you off balance, questioning your perception and reality. The cycle becomes a dizzying loop of highs and lows, leaving you craving the highs and dreading the lows. This emotional rollercoaster is not accidental but a deliberate tactic to exert control and maintain dominance. It's a game of emotional manipulation, keeping you engaged and dependent on their validation. The unpredictability stirs a level of anxiety that keeps you tethered to them, longing for the next emotional high while fearing the next drop. The thrill is addictive, but the volatility is exhausting, a sure sign of an unsustainable dynamic. Your interests are their interests, your likes their likes, and suddenly, they seem to be the perfect match in every conceivable way. This mirroring behavior is all about creating a false sense of intimacy and connection quickly. It feels like you've met your other half, the one who just gets you, but this is rarely the case. The aim here is to fast-track the relationship, creating an illusion of deep compatibility. Research by psychologist Dr. Craig Malkin suggests that this mirroring is a common tool used by individuals with narcissistic traits to gain trust. It's the emotional equivalent of a Trojan horse, designed to bypass your defenses and establish a connection that feels genuine but is, in fact, manufactured. This projection isn't sustainable and often dissipates once their objective is met or when they start losing interest. It's a strategic play, not an authentic connection, and it can leave you feeling duped once the mirage fades. Your inner circle might start to voice concerns, questioning the whirlwind nature of the relationship. They see what you might not—a pattern of behavior that feels too good to be truly genuine. This skepticism isn't about undermining your happiness, but about ensuring you're not blinded by the intense pace. Often, outsiders can spot red flags that are lost in the haze of infatuation. When loved ones raise concerns, it's crucial to listen, even if it's uncomfortable. Their perspective is invaluable, as they're less emotionally entangled in the situation. It's not about dampening your joy but ensuring that what you're experiencing is both healthy and sustainable. Their caution isn't meant to rain on your parade, but to ensure that the parade isn't leading you into a storm. Pushing boundaries might start subtly, perhaps with small, seemingly innocent requests that gradually escalate. Before you know it, you're conceding on things you wouldn't have previously considered negotiable. This erosion of boundaries is intentional, breaking down your sense of autonomy and self. It's a slippery slope where compromise becomes capitulation, with their preferences taking precedence over your comfort. According to boundary expert and therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, boundary-pushing is a common manipulation technique used to test the waters of control. As your boundaries erode, so does your ability to assert your own needs, making it harder to disentangle yourself from the relationship. This isn't about mutual give and take; it's about dominance and submission. Your boundaries are a line in the sand they continually try to blur, until you're standing on their side of the line entirely. From "nice to meet you" to "let's move in together" in what feels like a heartbeat, everything seems to be happening in fast forward. The speed is exhilarating, making you feel swept up in a romantic narrative. But this intensity is often a red flag, a strategy to cement the relationship before you have time to fully assess it. It's about locking you in, before you have a chance to recognize the potential pitfalls. Fast-tracking a relationship eliminates the natural progression that allows for genuine connection and understanding. It's a tactic to ensure you're too emotionally and logistically involved before any serious doubts arise. This speed can be disorienting, leaving you questioning whether your concerns are valid or merely cold feet. In reality, it's a red flag that can mask deeper incompatibilities or unhealthy dynamics. Any attempt on your part to voice concerns or criticisms is met with defensiveness or even emotional withdrawal. It's as though expressing a differing opinion or highlighting an issue is a betrayal of the intense bond they've crafted. This response is often a tactic to silence dissent, ensuring that you remain compliant and agreeable. By reframing your concerns as disloyalty, they maintain control over the narrative. This dynamic stifles communication, as you become hesitant to voice anything that could disrupt the peace. Your needs and opinions take a backseat to their emotional comfort and validation. The relationship becomes one-sided, where your voice is minimized to preserve their ego. It's a subtle yet powerful form of control that prioritizes their desires over a balanced, healthy partnership. What initially seemed like intense interest in your life starts feeling more like surveillance. They want to know where you are, who you're with, and what you're doing at all times. This isn't just affection; it's an invasion of privacy masquerading as care. The constant check-ins can feel smothering, reducing your independence under the guise of concern. Such monitoring is about control, ensuring that you remain within their sphere of influence. It chips away at your autonomy, making it difficult to maintain personal boundaries. This behavior isn't about love; it's about power dynamics and keeping you ensnared. Your independence is compromised, making it harder to detach without feeling their presence looming over you. Their jealousy is spun as a testament to their depth of feeling for you, a passionate display of their investment in the relationship. Initially, it might feel flattering, as though they care so deeply they can't bear the thought of losing you. But this isn't about love; it's about possession and control. Jealousy becomes a tool to isolate you from others, ensuring their dominance in your life. This possessiveness is a mask for insecurity, projecting their fears onto you. It's a red flag that masquerades as love, but in reality, it's about ensuring you remain tethered to them. The relationship becomes a cage, where your interactions with others are monitored and controlled. This isn't an act of love but of domination, seeking to claim ownership over your life. Your past relationships become a topic of intense scrutiny, with your partner casting previous partners as villains. It's a tactic to paint themselves as the hero of your narrative, the one who truly understands and values you. This framing creates a division between your past and your present, making it difficult for you to view your partner as anything but saintly. But it's a red flag, seeking to isolate you from past experiences that might offer perspective. By villainizing your past, they ensure that their version of reality remains unchallenged. It's a subtle form of control, ensuring that your focus remains solely on them and the current relationship. This narrative leaves little room for reflection or growth, trapping you in their version of events. It's a strategic move to keep you ensnared, without the benefit of hindsight or external input. Every action, every misstep, comes with a backstory designed to tug at your heartstrings. They have a knack for spinning narratives that position them as the misunderstood hero of their own story. This constant victimhood is less about vulnerability and more about manipulation, creating a dynamic where you feel compelled to excuse their behavior. It's a tactic to elicit sympathy, ensuring that any boundary you try to set is seen as unfair or unkind. The sob story becomes a tool, deflecting accountability and redirecting focus onto their emotional narrative. It blurs the lines of responsibility, making it difficult for you to hold them accountable. This constant reframing positions them as the perpetual victim, ensuring your role as the caretaker or savior. It's a manipulative technique that maintains their narrative supremacy at the expense of a balanced relationship. When an apology finally makes its way through, it's grandiose and theatrical, designed to sweep you off your feet. It's not about genuine remorse but about maintaining control, using the apology as further emotional leverage. This cycle of hurt, apology, and reconciliation becomes addictive, a rollercoaster of emotion that keeps you invested. These apologies aren't about change; they're about prolonging the cycle of emotional dependency. The grand apology is a red herring, distracting from the need for genuine change and growth. It keeps you anchored in a cycle of hope, where the potential for change overshadows the reality of repeated patterns. This dynamic is more about keeping you ensnared than fostering a healthy, evolving relationship. It's a strategy that prioritizes their emotional needs over genuine reconciliation and growth. Amidst the storm of emotions and grand gestures, there's a nagging feeling in the pit of your stomach that something isn't quite right. You can't quite articulate why, but your intuition is signaling that all is not as it seems. This inner voice is often your best ally, a signal that despite the allure of the relationship, something fundamental is amiss. It's a whisper that's easily drowned out by the noise of intense emotions and external validation. Listening to your intuition is crucial, even if it feels like you're battling against an overwhelming tide of perceived love. Your gut often picks up on subtleties and red flags that your rational mind might dismiss. It's an internal compass guiding you through the fog of intense emotions and manipulative tactics. Trusting it can be your safeguard against getting too deep into a relationship that feels thrilling but is ultimately hollow.