Have you ever noticed how quickly weput people into boxes?
“He’s an introvert.” “She’s a born leader.”
It feels efficient — but what do we lose when we start believing our ownlabels?

In business, labelling can feel likeclarity, but it often distorts reality.
Because behind every “type” is a person — and behind every person, a story thatdoesn’t fit neatly into categories.

#Leadership #HR #Communication#Psychology #OrganizationalCulture #Diversity #PeopleDevelopment #Mindset#WorkplaceCulture #Coaching

Discover the top mistakes made byjob interviewers and how to avoid them to ensure a fair and effective hiringprocess. Learn why structured interviews are a game-changer and how biases likethe beauty bias can affect your decisions. Tune in to find out how you canimprove your recruitment process and attract the best talent.
#JobInterviews #HiringMistakes #StructuredInterviews #RecruitmentTips #HR#BiasInHiring #JobInterviewTips #HumanResources #HiringProcess#CandidateExperience

Is being authentic always the right approach? In the corporate world, where do we draw the line between authenticity and playing a role? Check out the discussion on how we balance our inner complexity and outer behavior.

#Authenticity #CorporateCulture #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalGrowth #InnerComplexity #PersonalValues #TrustBuilding

Praise can be a powerful tool formotivation, but did you know it can also have unintended consequences? Whetherit's making someone more vulnerable to future challenges or even backfiring ina conversation, the way we offer praise matters. In both personal andprofessional settings, it's essential to consider how and why we give feedback.

#CommunicationPsychology #Feedback#Motivation #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthMindset #WorkplaceCulture#PsychologyInBusiness

References

Brehm, J. W.,& Brehm, S. S. (1981). Psychologicalreactance: A theory of freedom and control.Academic Press.

Müller, C. M., & Dweck, C. S.(1999). Praise and personality: Implications for the development ofcompetence and motivation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,77(4), 868-879. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.77.4.868

Schulz von Thun, F. (2008). Miteinander reden von A bis Z: DiePsychologie der Kommunikation (1st ed.). RowohltTaschenbuch Verlag.

Conflict doesn’t always look the way we expect it. Just because there’s no visible tension, doesn’t mean everything is fine. In my latest episode, I explore how unspoken misunderstandings and hidden conflicts can silently affect your team’s engagement, collaboration, and retention. It’s time to rethink what “conflict” really means in the workplace.

#ConflictManagement #HR #TeamDynamics #EmployeeEngagement #OrganizationalCulture

References

Allen, D. G.,& Griffeth, R. W. (2001). Employeeturnover and retention: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86(5), 1134-1151.https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.86.5.1134

De Dreu, C. K. W., & Gelfand, M.J. (2008). Conflict in the workplace: A dynamic perspective. InternationalJournal of Conflict Management, 19(3), 210-232.https://doi.org/10.1108/10444060810877517

Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton,B. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in (3rded.). Penguin Books.

Jehn, K. A. (1995). A multimethodexamination of the benefits and detriments of intragroup conflict. AdministrativeScience Quarterly, 40(2), 256-282. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393395

Thomas, K. W. (1992). Conflictand conflict management: Reflections and update. Journal of OrganizationalBehavior, 13(3), 265-274. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030130307

Ever had second thoughts after a tough conversation?
That nagging “I should have said…” feeling usually isn’t about wit orluck—it’s about preparation. Psychologist Friedemann Schulz von Thun shows howour Inner Team can make or break communication.

Which team members show up when youspeak—and which ones are missing?

👉 Discover how to train your Inner Team and walk into yournext conversation prepared.

#CommunicationSkills#LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #Psychology #SelfAwareness#PublicSpeaking

References

Böckler, A.,Bräuer, J., Grosse Holtforth, M., & Ehrenthal, J. C. (2020). Know thy selves: Learning to understand oneself increasesthe ability to understand others.Frontiers inPsychology, 11.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.571746 PMC

Hodgdon, H. B.,van der Kolk, B., Southwell, K., Hrubec, T., & Schwartz, R. C. (2021). Internal Family Systems Therapy for Posttraumatic StressDisorder Among Survivors of Multiple Childhood Trauma. Journal of TraumaticStress, 34(3), 652-662. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2021.2013375Tandfonline+1

Schulz von Thun, F. (1998). Miteinander reden 3: Das Innere Teamund situationsgerechte Kommunikation: Kommunikation, Person, Situation. Reinbek bei Hamburg, Germany:Rowohlt. PMC+1

Schwartz, R.C., Sweezy, M. (2019). InternalFamily Systems Skills Training Manual: Trauma-Informed Treatment for Anxiety,Depression, PTSD & Self-Esteem.Oakland, CA: Internal Family Systems Institute. IFS Institute

Van der Kolk, B., Hodgdon, H. B.,& Schwartz, R. C. (2024). Online Group-Based Internal Family SystemsTreatment for PTSD: Feasibility and Acceptability of the Program. Journal ofClinical Psychology, 80(8), 1374-1390. PMC

Ever notice a lively conversation inside your own mind—each voice nudging you in a different direction? Mastering these inner voices is the first step to clearer, more authentic communication with the world.

#InnerDialogue #SelfAwareness #CommunicationPsychology #InnerTeam #LeadershipFromWithinReferences

López-Jiménez, A. M., &Rodríguez-Testal, J. F. (2016). Relationship between inner dialog andideas of reference and the mediating role of dissociation. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12344

Oleś, P. K., & Brinthaupt, T. M. (2020). Types of inner dialogues andfunctions of self-talk: Comparisons and implications. Frontiers inPsychology, 11, 227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00227

Van der Ven, E., & Peled-Avron, L. (2015). Bringing the “self” intofocus: Conceptualising the role of self-experience for understanding andworking with distressing voices. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1129. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01129

Schulz von Thun, F. (2003). Miteinanderreden 3: Das innere Team und situationsgerechte Kommunikation. Reinbek bei Hamburg: Rowohlt.

Public speaking is rehearsed, scripted, and predictable. But what about theconversations we can’t plan—the ones that take unexpected turns, stir emotions,or shift roles on the spot? In this episode of The Unscripted Challenge, we explore why real-life conversationsoften feel harder than stepping onto a stage—and how you can navigate them withmore confidence.

References

Afifi, W. A., & Weiner, J. L. (2004). Toward a theory of motivatedinformation management. CommunicationTheory, 14(2), 167–190. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2004.tb00310.x

Kaneko, A. (2024). Communication apprehension in the workplace: The role ofposition and facilitation skills. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. Advanceonline publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906241295696

Lillie, T., Venetis, M. K., &Chernichky-Karcher, S. (2023). Resilience communication mitigates thenegative relational effects of topic avoidance: Evidence from parentalcaregiving and COVID-19 pandemic contexts. Personal Relationships, 30(4), 1252–1273. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12508

McCroskey, J. C., Beatty, M. J., Kearney, P., & Plax, T. G. (1985). Thecontent validity of the PRCA-24 as a measure of communication apprehensionacross communication contexts. CommunicationQuarterly, 33(3), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463378509369595