In a world driven by perfection and polished online personas, many professionals struggle with moments of awkwardness. But what if embracing awkward moments could actually make you more credible and trustworthy? That’s exactly what Henna Pryor explores in her insightful book Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become the Bravest You. In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, learning how to harness these moments of discomfort can give you a unique human edge—and help your career thrive.
Why "Good Awkward" Makes You More Trustworthy
Pryor’s research reveals a surprising truth: awkwardness isn’t a sign of incompetence; it's a normal human emotion. Many high-achieving professionals—even executives—avoid asking for help or collaborating because they fear appearing vulnerable. In her study, 30% of employees admitted they’d rather clean a toilet than ask for assistance, highlighting what Pryor calls "social muscle atrophy." In fact, 43% of executives feel compelled to handle challenges alone, seeing collaboration as awkward rather than empowering.
But avoiding awkwardness comes at a cost. “When we try to eliminate awkwardness, we lose the very thing that makes us relatable: our humanity,” Pryor explains. In an era saturated with AI-generated, overly polished content, people crave authenticity. Awkward moments, when embraced, remind others that we're real, relatable, and genuine—qualities that foster trust.
The Hidden Trap of Empathetic Embarrassment
One of Pryor’s most fascinating insights is around empathetic embarrassment, also known as "EEE" or vicarious embarrassment. This phenomenon occurs when you feel secondhand discomfort on behalf of someone else, like cringing when a speaker mispronounces a name. While empathy is generally positive, excessive empathetic embarrassment can hold us back from taking bold actions ourselves. As Pryor puts it, “If you're constantly embarrassed for others, it becomes harder to step out of your own comfort zone.”
Recognizing and managing EEE is crucial for developing confidence. Understanding that awkwardness is not failure allows you to engage more boldly in conversations, presentations, and leadership moments—key areas where credibility is built.
Strengthening Your Social Muscles Through Practice
Just like physical fitness, social confidence can be built through rehearsal and repetition. Pryor likens this to “proverbial push-ups” for your social skills. Whether preparing for a tough conversation or practicing public speaking, rehearsing awkward scenarios helps create muscle memory. This preparation reduces anxiety, allowing you to stay composed when real-life awkward moments arise.
A practical technique Pryor recommends is starting meetings with a "bad idea brainstorm." Encouraging participants to share unrealistic or seemingly silly ideas fosters a psychologically safe environment. It helps people value contribution over perfection and can spark genuine innovation—proving once again that embracing awkwardness can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
Turning Awkward Moments Into Career Advantages
In 2025, as AI continues to perfect digital interactions, human authenticity stands out more than ever. Rather than striving for flawless performance, lean into your awkward moments as opportunities to connect and build trust. Pryor’s approach empowers professionals to use “good awkward” as a strength, ultimately enhancing both credibility and relatability in every interaction.
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