How a 2x TEDx Workplace Performance Expert Makes Awkward Moments Turn into Career Growth Opportunities

How a 2x TEDx Workplace Performance Expert Makes Awkward Moments Turn into Career Growth Opportunities

Author: Howie Chan, Influence Strategist @ The Behavioring Company March 3, 2026 Duration: 55:42
In this episode of the Influence Anyone Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Henna Pryor, a Workplace Performance Expert, a 2x TEDx speaker, a regular expert columnist for Inc. Magazine, and a best-selling author. They delve into what embracing awkwardness really entails, the  skills now being lost in the modern era that we need to recreate in the workplace, and what it looks like to make big career pivots. Henna provides tips and insights on how to successfully navigate awkward moments and situations, build deeper connections, get better at selling, and become more confident. Want complete influence under pressure? Get the FREE Influence Field Guide with 5 Influence Frameworks from 5 Bestselling Authors and Experts. Chapters: 0:00:00 How Henna embraced awkwardness 0:09:26 What you risk reveals what you value 0:11:48 Awkward confidence and how to get good at it 0:19:45 Practical tips to navigate awkward situations 0:23:21 Less perfect and awkwardness vs vulnerability 0:28:47 The story behind Henna's second career pivot 0:39:07 A sales hack for better results in less time 0:43:37 How awkwardness became Henna’s banner 0:46:07 The true value of awkwardness and small bets 0:52:26 A letter to Henna’s younger self From Our Guest: Website LinkedIn  Youtube Facebook  Instagram  Get the book, Good Awkward. Watch Henna’s 2 TEDxTalks Want to get ahead at work? Risk the awkward moments and The new way to brag in the modern world - and feel good doing it. Get people to buy into your ideas and offers! Join the FREE Influence Anyone newsletter. Each week, I uncover a proven strategy from world experts and scientific research to influence human behavior – including your own. 📩 Go to: www.howiechan.com/sub

Howie Chan hosts Influence Anyone, a conversation that digs into the practical mechanics of persuasion and personal change. Rather than abstract theory, this podcast focuses on applied influence psychology, translating research and real-world experience into actionable strategies. Episodes feature dialogues with leading experts and practitioners, dissecting the subtle psychological forces that shape both internal motivation and external agreement. You’ll hear discussions on mastering your own mindset and habits alongside concrete methods for branding, storytelling, and negotiation. The aim is to move from insight to implementation, turning behavioral science into reliable playbooks for leadership and persuasion. Covering intersections of science, business, marketing, and social dynamics, the podcast provides a nuanced look at how influence operates in various arenas of life. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the principles that drive decision-making, equipping them to navigate professional challenges and personal goals with greater clarity. The tone is exploratory and detailed, prioritizing depth over quick fixes. By examining the hidden architecture of influence, Howie Chan creates a resource for anyone looking to understand the why behind effective action and communication. This is a place where academic findings meet street-level practice, all dedicated to creating more meaningful and effective outcomes.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 77

Influence Anyone
Podcast Episodes
[DELETED ON YOUTUBE] Introducing: Influence Anyone with Howie Chan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:05
Influence Anyone is a show about the science of influencing human behavior — ethically, strategically, and at scale. Each episode features conversations with world-class thinkers and practitioners in psychology, persuasi…