Henna Pryor: Embracing Awkwardness for Authentic Professional Growth

Conversations with Keita Demming

Ever felt that awkwardness could actually be a strength rather than a weakness? In this episode, Henna Pryor, a regular Expert Columnist for Inc. Magazine, 10x award-winning author of Good Awkward, and an in-demand global keynote speaker, explores the idea that awkwardness can be a strength in both personal and professional settings.
Pryor challenges the conventional "fake it till you make it" mindset and promotes embracing authenticity, even with its flaws. The discussion covers how our diminishing social skills affect business conversations and the importance of forming genuine connections, particularly in the virtual workplace.
Key Takeaways:

1. Be Genuine: Embrace your awkwardness to build stronger, more authentic relationships.
2. Overcoming Hurdles: People from underrepresented communities can be their true selves at work by accepting flaws and using practical techniques.
3. Boosting Social Skills: Having small, focused social interactions can help improve your social skills and make you feel more comfortable being yourself.

Henna's links:

• Website: https://pryoritygroup.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hennapryor/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hennapryorcoach/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hennapryor

Hi, I'm your podcast host Keita Demming: Author, Advisor, Thought Partner & Coach.
I'm an award-winning educator and coach with a PhD in Adult Education and Workplace Learning who works to transform companies into places that are idea-driven and people-centered.

At The Covenant Group, I design training programs and coach entrepreneurs and business leaders to meet their strategic goals and build their businesses.
In my book, Strategy to Action: Run Your Business Without It Running You, I introduce an effective and straightforward tool to elevate your skills as a business professional and navigate the corporate world. The book offers practical insights on transforming strategies into tangible results.
Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and subscribe to my Newsletter.

Chapter

1. Navigating the Awkwardness in Business (00:00:00)

2. Navigating Authenticity in Professional Environments (00:13:17)

3. Navigating Awkwardness and Self-Acceptance (00:17:39)

4. Navigating the Self-Identity Gap (00:31:21)

5. Embracing Awkwardness and Vulnerability (00:41:47)