DiscoverCommunication Psychology and HR – with Gerhard OhrbandWhy we are afraid of working on our communication skills?
Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills?

Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills?

Update: 2025-07-14
Share

Description

We all say communication iskey — but when it comes to receiving feedback on our own skills, many of usfreeze or flee. Why?

In this episode of the CommunicationPsychology podcast, I explore the surprising psychological reasons behindour resistance to improving our communication. From fear of being “found out”to unconscious identity threats, we dig into why even high-performingprofessionals avoid this kind of self-work.

💡Based on leading research in psychology and communicationcoaching
🎧 Listen in — and maybe challenge your own “immunity tochange”

#communication #psychology #feedback#leadership #growthmindset #podcast

 

Recommended reading:

Dunning, D., Heath, C., & Suls,J. M. (2004). Flawed self-assessment: Implications for health, education,and the workplace. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 5(3),69–106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-1006.2004.00018.x

Gregory, J. B., & Levy, P. E.(2011). It's not me, it's you: A multilevel examination of variables thatimpact employee coaching relationships. Consulting Psychology Journal:Practice and Research, 63(2), 67–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024152

Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L.(2009). Immunity to change: How to overcome it and unlock the potential inyourself and your organization. Harvard Business Press.

London, M. (2003). Job feedback:Giving, seeking, and using feedback for performance improvement (2nd ed.).Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Sedikides, C., & Strube, M. J.(1997). Self-evaluation: To thine own self be good, to thine own self besure, to thine own self be true, and to thine own self be better. Advancesin Experimental Social Psychology, 29, 209–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60018-0

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills?

Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills?

Gerhard Ohrband, MA in Psychology (University of Hamburg/Germany)