It’s a catch-22: A feeling of vulnerability gets in the way of sharing, and sharing makes us feel more vulnerable. In today’s post, Dean suggests a way to get beyond this cycle and progress in your career as a result.
It’s a catch-22: A feeling of vulnerability gets in the way of sharing, and sharing makes us feel more vulnerable. In today’s post, Dean suggests a way to get beyond this cycle and progress in your career as a result.
Some people naturally share.
Others… don’t.
And if you’re someone who tends to keep things to yourself, you’ve probably felt this tension:
“I know I should share more… but it feels uncomfortable.”
In everyday life, being private can work just fine.
But in moments that matter — presentations, interviews, important meetings —
sharing becomes part of the job.
Your audience isn’t just evaluating your ideas.
They’re trying to understand you.
And without some level of openness, it’s harder for them to:
Here’s the real challenge:
If you don’t practice sharing…
Then when the moment requires it, it feels like exposure.
Unexpected questions can feel intrusive.
Talking about yourself can feel unnatural.
And that’s when people get thrown off their game.
This isn’t about turning into someone you’re not.
It’s not about sharing everything.
It’s about sharing a little more than you normally would.
Just one notch up.
It can be simple:
It could also mean:
None of this is dramatic.
But it’s human.
There’s a hidden advantage to people who naturally share:
They’re used to it.
So when a tough or unexpected question comes up, it doesn’t rattle them as much.
They’ve built the muscle.
Private people often haven’t — not because they can’t, but because they haven’t practiced.
Don’t start in the highest-stakes moment.
Start small.
Practice in lower-pressure situations:
Just one click more openness than usual.
Your ideas matter.
But you matter too.
And your audience needs to see both.
So if you’re someone who tends to hold back, try this:
Share a little more than you normally would.
Over time, it won’t feel like exposure.
It will feel like presence.
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