Have you ever had the experience of offering your perspective to a discussion, only to be met with silence? How many times have you held back from sharing an idea, afraid it wasn’t quite right, only to - even worse - hear someone else be praised for saying the same thing?

In new or unfamiliar situations, it's natural to feel fear. Perhaps it comes from a touch of imposter syndrome; perhaps we feel out of our depth or a lack of confidence. These moments of uncertainty can be stifling, but we’re here to report that they’re also completely manageable. Developing High CQ and strong communication skills means learning to navigate these fears - acknowledging that even if we don’t get it exactly right, communication is key to moving forwards and reconciling the grey areas of understanding. ​

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What is fear?

Fear is a fundamental human emotion. At times, it’s a useful protective mechanism, alerting us to danger and prompting us to take precaution; however, when it comes to communication, the emotion can also build barriers, hindering our ability to express ourselves clearly and connect with others.

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The psychology behind fear and social anxiety

In the case of personal relationships, fear most commonly manifests as a reluctance to express our true feelings. Fear of rejection or conflict can lead us to avoid difficult conversations or sugarcoat our concerns. Such avoidance can create misunderstandings and ultimately undermine communication - something we know from CQ Negotiation to be critical to building and sustaining successful relationships.

The fear of judgment and awkward silences - not to mention the pressure to perform - can morph even the simplest conversation into a stressful ordeal. Moreover, for those of us who experience social anxiety, we know that it’s more than just shyness; it’s a persistent discomfort in social situations where we feel exposed to scrutiny and judgement. Like fear, then, social anxiety can significantly impact our ability to interact with others and keep us from forming meaningful relationships. As ever, understanding the science behind it can help us develop effective management strategies.

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