Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 14, 2025 · 12 MIN

Why we are afraid of working on our communication skills?

from Communication Psychology and HR – with Gerhard Ohrband

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

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

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This episode was published on July 14, 2025.

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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...

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