Leveraging Awkward Moments for Business Success | Henna Pryor | 633

Ever felt awkward in a meeting, on stage, or in a tough conversation? What if that discomfort wasn’t a weakness—but an advantage?

In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with workplace performance expert Henna Pryor, author of Good Awkward, to explore the hidden power of social discomfort. Henna breaks down why avoiding awkward moments only makes them worse—and how embracing them can lead to stronger communication, better leadership, and a more resilient mindset.

They discuss why so many leaders fear saying the wrong thing (especially in today’s hyper-visible world), how the "spotlight effect" distorts our self-perception, and why placing small bets is the key to building a thought leadership platform. Henna also shares her journey from finance to executive coaching to keynote speaking—proving that growth often comes from stepping into discomfort.

This conversation will change the way you think about awkwardness—and might just help you unlock your next big leadership breakthrough.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Avoiding Awkwardness Makes It Worse – Awkward moments happen to everyone, but dodging them only amplifies the discomfort. Acknowledging and embracing these moments can make you appear more confident and authentic.

• Small Bets Lead to Big Wins – Instead of making massive, risky moves, successful thought leaders test ideas by placing small bets—through LinkedIn posts, speaking engagements, or content experiments—to see what resonates before doubling down.

• Your Perceived Failures Matter Less Than You Think – The "spotlight effect" tricks us into believing people notice our mistakes more than they actually do. In reality, most people quickly move on—so stop overanalyzing and keep moving forward.

Awkward moments often come from misspeaking or making mistakes. Just as Henna Pryor suggests addressing the awkward head-on, Priya Nalkur encourages leaders to embrace imperfection. Both perspectives highlight the power of authenticity and resilience in leadership. If you want to learn how to turn your perceived flaws or failures into strengths, don’t miss this episode 554 - Embracing Imperfection!