Embracing Change and Building Social Muscles with 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 is 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.

Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change” — a title she wears proudly.

In addition to speaking for TEDx, SXSW, and being frequently tapped by media outlets like Business.com, FastCompany, INSIDER, HuffPost, NBC, FOX, and more, she’s a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and Glassdoor WorkLife Pro. Her book was also named a Kirkus Reviews’ Best Book of the Year.

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IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

(00:47): Concept of "social fitness" introduced, emphasizing the need for intentional development of interpersonal influence amidst digital distractions, setting the stage for a discussion on building social muscles to enhance career success.

(02:12): Henna Pryor’s extensive professional background highlighted, including her roles as a top leader at a major executive search firm, a global keynote speaker, and a popular columnist

(03:26): Henna is asked about her recent appearance on the "$100,000 Pyramid" game show, illustrating her willingness to embrace new and challenging experiences outside her professional comfort zone.

(03:41): Henna describes her game show experience as unexpectedly fun and memorable, emphasizing the value of stepping into new challenges and the joy found in such experiences.

(05:17): Henna discusses the importance of embracing life's spontaneity and opportunities, sharing her philosophy of taking chances and enjoying life's unexpected moments, as exemplified by her game show participation.

(06:38): Transition from corporate life to personal passion projects discussed, exploring how moments of simple pleasure, like noticing a cloud, can inspire significant career and life changes.

(07:32): Henna reflects on her decision to leave a stable and successful job to seek a more fulfilling life, emphasizing that her move was driven by a desire for personal growth rather than dissatisfaction with her job.

(09:00): Henna shares a deeply personal moment of realization about her career and life choices, sparked by a simple act of observing nature, which led her to reconsider her work-life balance and career path.

(14:04): Challenges of redefining oneself after a significant career change delved into, with Henna discussing the emotional and practical aspects of transitioning from a well-established corporate identity to an uncertain entrepreneurial journey.

(15:00): "Social muscle atrophy" in the digital age explored, focusing on the importance of developing strong interpersonal skills in a world filled with digital distractions.

(22:57): Henna stresses the importance of maintaining personal connections in professional growth, discussing the challenges of building and sustaining relationships in a technologically dominated environment.

(38:59): Summary of the discussion provided, reiterating the importance of social skills and personal interactions in achieving professional success and personal satisfaction.

(40:20): Henna shares practical advice on developing social muscles through everyday interactions, highlighting the need for intentional practice and engagement in personal and professional settings.

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BOOKS AND RESOURCES

• "Find Your Red Thread" by Tamsen Webster - A book Henna recommends for anyone trying to develop an idea, whether they are a speaker, writer, entrepreneur, or product innovator. It provides a framework for distilling your ideas and connecting them meaningfully with your audience.
• "Say What They Can't Unhear" by Tamsen Webster - Another book by Tamsen Webster that Henna recommends, which focuses on impactful communication and ensuring your message resonates deeply and memorably with others.
• "Creating Superfans" by Brittany Hodak - An additional book Henna recommends about enhancing customer experiences to build loyal supporters for your business. Henna praises it for its insights into customer relationship management and if you enjoy her style of writing, you might find Hodak's style similarly engaging.
• National Research Study on Social Muscle - Henna refers to a study which provides insights into the importance of developing interpersonal skills in professional settings. This resource is likely a comprehensive report that offers data and analysis on social skills in the workplace.
• Get Henna's book: Good Awkward
• Connect with Henna on LinkedIn, Instagram and her website.