We’ve all found ourselves cringing at something we said to a colleague or dreading the awkward encounters that follow. Awkwardness is often seen as a negative trait that needs to be eliminated, but what if it’s actually the key to success? This is the premise of “Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become The Bravest You,” a forthcoming book by workplace performance expert Henna Pryor.
According to Pryor, many people view awkwardness as a deficiency or lack of confidence. However, she argues that awkwardness is a universal emotion that is unavoidable in the pursuit of professional growth. As we challenge ourselves and strive for success, we inevitably encounter moments of awkwardness.
Pryor defines workplace awkwardness as the disconnect between our true selves and the personas we present to others. Awkward encounters are common in the workplace, but research suggests that embracing these moments can actually make us appear more human and likable to our colleagues. Those who are seen as competent in awkward situations lean into the discomfort, own it, laugh about it, and relish the moment, while those who are perceived as less confident tend to shy away.
Studies have shown that expressing embarrassment can make us seem more trustworthy, caring, and cooperative to others. When participants were asked to choose a fellow student to join a study group based on their expressions of embarrassment or confidence, they were more likely to choose the person who showed embarrassment. This suggests that social awkwardness is seen as a sign of effort and is rewarded with trust and collaboration.
Pryor shares a personal experience where she misread a client’s gesture as a high-five and realized her mistake after celebrating prematurely. Instead of ignoring the awkwardness, she owned up to it and acknowledged her misinterpretation. Surprisingly, this moment of vulnerability helped establish a connection with the client and ultimately led to closing the deal.
Psychologist and executive coach Lauren Appio suggests that acknowledging awkwardness can be stressful in the short-term but ultimately relieving. By approaching the other person and simply acknowledging what happened without seeking reassurance or forgiveness, you show self-awareness and come off as socially conscious. This can open the door for feedback and repair any potential damage to the relationship.
Rather than hiding our imperfect moments, Appio advises embracing them and sharing them with colleagues. By reframing our judgmental assumptions about our awkwardness and recognizing the qualities that make us unique, we can approach our work in a way that aligns with our true selves. It’s important to remember that one awkward moment is unlikely to make or break a relationship and that we tend to forget these interactions quickly.
Leaders can also embrace their imperfections by sharing “cracked egg stories” about their own blunders or projects that didn’t go as planned. Normalizing setbacks and creating a space for open discussion can foster a more supportive and innovative work environment, especially in hybrid settings where visibility is limited.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that feeling awkward is a shared human experience. We’ve all cringed at something we’ve said or done, and by extending grace to ourselves and others, we can navigate the awkwardness with more confidence and resilience.
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