Stay Awkward: The Leadership Skill You're Avoiding (Interview with Henna Pryor)

Do you ever label yourself as "awkward" and then use that as a reason not to take a risk?  In the first episode of Season 6 of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater is joined by workplace performance expert Henna Pryor to unpack one of the biggest hidden barriers to studio growth: the fear of awkwardness.  Together, they challenge the idea that confident leaders "have it all together" and reveal that confidence isn't about avoiding discomfort, it's about recovering faster. From perfectionism and approval-seeking to emotional avoidance and leadership burnout, this conversation gives studio owners language, science, and permission to lead imperfectly and more effectively.  If you've ever delayed a hard conversation, second-guessed a decision, or felt like success still doesn't feel good, this episode will help you reframe discomfort as a skill you can train.  What You'll Learn:  Why awkwardness is an emotion, not a personality trait  How confident studio owners build a fast comeback rate  The neuroscience behind social pain and why it feels so intense  How perfectionism fuels shame cycles in dance studio leadership  Why "positive mindset" can actually become emotional avoidance  How to create psychological safety for yourself and your team  The role of community in normalizing leadership missteps  Why white space is essential for long-term resilience and clarity  How reframing language (like "sacred time") changes behavior  A simple reflection practice to uncover the stories driving your decisions  Henna Pryor, CSP, is a globally recognized Workplace Performance Expert, Inc. Magazine columnist, and award-winning author of Good Awkward. Known for her science-backed approach to performance mindset, communication, and leadership under pressure, Henna helps high-performing leaders embrace discomfort to drive meaningful, sustainable change.   Join our growing community of people just like you inside our free Facebook group. Click here to join!  Watch our video episodes and subscribe on YouTube here.   Follow Henna Pryor: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennapryor/ Follow The Dance Studio Owners Association:  Instagram: @dancestudioownersassociation | TikTok: @dsoaofficial | Facebook: @dancestudioownersassociation Follow Olivia Mode-Cater: Instagram: @olivia.modecater | TikTok: @olivia.modecater