Build Social Confidence & Communication Skills: Turn Awkward Moments Into Connection & High Performance with Henna Pryor (Re-Release)

What if the moments you try to avoid—awkward conversations, uncertainty, discomfort—are actually the key to stronger leadership, deeper connection, and higher performance? In this re-release episode of The Live Greatly Podcast , Kristel Bauer sits down with Henna Pryor —workplace performance expert, keynote speaker, and author of Good Awkward —to explore how embracing awkwardness can unlock confidence, strengthen communication, and elevate how you show up at work and in life. Drawing from behavioral science and real-world experience, Henna shares how to reframe discomfort, take more strategic social risks, and build the "social muscles" that fuel growth, influence, and long-term success. If you've ever held back in a meeting, avoided a difficult conversation, or felt unsure in high-stakes moments—this conversation offers a powerful shift in perspective. In this episode, you'll learn: How to reframe awkwardness as a catalyst for growth and opportunity Strategies to navigate uncomfortable conversations with more confidence How to strengthen your "social fitness" to support leadership and performance Why leaning into discomfort can accelerate connection, influence, and success A look into Henna's book, Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You ABOUT HENNA PRYOR Henna Pryor, CSP is a dynamic Workplace Performance Expert who speaks and writes about performance mindset, interpersonal dynamics, high-impact communication, and embracing bumps in a world that keeps optimizing for smoothness. She's a regular Expert Columnist for Inc. Magazine, 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward , and an in-demand global keynote speaker. Her playful personality and insightful talks blend 2 decades of working with corporate leaders and teams, with a fresh, science-based approach to taking more strategic risks and boosting social and mental fitness for success at work. Connect with Henna: Order Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You LinkedIn: Instagram: Website: About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer : Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker and TEDx speaker supporting organizations and individuals on their journeys for more happiness and success. She is the author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business November 19, 2024). With Kristel's healthcare background, she provides data driven actionable strategies to leverage happiness and high-power habits to drive growth mindsets, peak performance, profitability, well-being and a culture of excellence. Kristel's keynotes provide insights to "Live Greatly" while promoting leadership development and team building. Kristel is the creator and host of her global top self-improvement podcast, Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, and she is an influencer in the business and wellness space having been recognized as a Top 10 Social Media Influencer of 2021 in Forbes. As an Integrative Medicine Fellow & Physician Assistant having practiced clinically in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel has a unique perspective into attaining a mindset for more happiness and success. Kristel has presented to groups from the American Gas Association, Bank of America, bp, Commercial Metals Company, General Mills, Northwestern University, Santander Bank and many more. Kristel has been featured in Forbes, Forest & Bluff Magazine, Authority Magazine & Podcast Magazine and she has appeared on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN Daytime Chicago, Fox 4's WDAF-TV's Great Day KC, and Ticker News. Kristel lives in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida area and she can be booked for speaking engagements worldwide. To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here . Website: Follow Kristel Bauer on: Instagram: @livegreatly_co LinkedIn: Kristel Bauer Twitter: @livegreatly_co Facebook: @livegreatly.co Youtube: Live Greatly, Kristel Bauer To Watch Kristel Bauer's TEDx talk of Redefining Work/Life Balance in a COVID-19 World click here. Click HERE to check out Kristel's corporate wellness and leadership blog Click HERE to check out Kristel's Travel and Wellness Blog Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions. Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations. They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content. Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.

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Build Social Confidence & Communication Skills: Turn Awkward Moments Into Connection & High Performance with Henna Pryor (Re-Release) is an episode from Live Greatly by Kristel Bauer.

This episode is 23:23 long.

This episode was published on May 5, 2026.

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