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    How to Speak to People and Stop Being Awkward at Work

    30 min
    |
    |
    21 avr. 2026
    Communication skillCareerPsychology

    Master workplace communication and overcome social awkwardness. Learn practical social skills to speak confidently with your manager and colleagues today.

    How to Speak to People and Stop Being Awkward at Work

    Meilleure citation de How to Speak to People and Stop Being Awkward at Work

    “

    Technical credibility gets you heard once, but a professional tone gets you heard every time. The goal isn't to be 'fake,' but to remove the noise of defensiveness so your actual ideas can land.

    ”

    Cette leçon audio a été créée par un membre de la communauté BeFreed

    Question posée

    Please teach me how to speak to people, so I’m less awkward and don’t look like an idiot in front of my manager

    Voix des présentateurs
    Lenaplay
    Milesplay
    Style d'apprentissage
    Approfondi
    Sources de connaissances
    "Corporate Speak, Part 3 — The Hard Cases Nobody Warned You About"
    link
    https://dev.to/yash_gandhi_b0979f0105433/corporate-speak-part-3-the-hard-cases-nobody-warned-you-about-34je
    How to Have a Good Conversation with Your Manager - OpenUp
    link
    https://openup.com/self-guided-care/blog/conversation-with-manager/
    Stop saying 'how was your weekend?' Do this instead, says public speaking expert: 'It doesn't have to be deep'
    link
    https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/20/stop-saying-how-was-your-weekend-do-this-instead-says-public-speaking-expert.html
    How to Engage in Small Talk With Senior Executives (Even if You’re Shy or an Introvert) | May Busch
    link
    https://maybusch.com/engage-small-talk-with-senior-executives/
    How To Make Small Talk With Your Boss | TheJobNetwork
    link
    https://www.thejobnetwork.com/blog/work-relationships/how-make-small-talk-your-boss
    Don't call it imposter syndrome
    link
    https://www.fastcompany.com/91529024/dont-call-it-imposter-syndrome

    Foire aux questions

    Improving your social skills at work starts with active listening and observing professional norms. To overcome social awkwardness, focus on maintaining steady eye contact and practicing brief, purposeful interactions with colleagues. By gradually increasing your participation in small talk and team meetings, you can build the confidence needed to navigate workplace communication more naturally and effectively.

    When learning how to talk to your manager, it is essential to be clear, concise, and prepared. Focus on professional communication tips such as summarizing your points beforehand and choosing the right timing for discussions. Demonstrating respect for their time while showing confidence in your own work helps reduce anxiety and ensures you come across as a competent and reliable professional.

    Building confidence at work involves preparation and positive self-talk. You can reduce the fear of looking awkward by preparing a few go-to topics or questions for common workplace scenarios. Focus on your body language, such as standing tall and smiling, which can help you feel more grounded. Consistent practice in low-stakes social situations will eventually make high-pressure conversations feel much more manageable.

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    Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
    star
    star
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    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
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    "Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

    @Moemenn
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    "I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

    @Chloe, Solo founder, LA
    platform
    comments
    12
    likes
    117

    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

    @Raaaaaachelw
    platform
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    star
    star
    star
    star

    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

    @Matt, YC alum
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    comments
    12
    likes
    108

    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
    platform
    comments
    254
    likes
    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
    star
    star
    star
    star
    star

    "BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

    @Pitiful
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    "BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

    @SofiaP
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    "BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

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    "It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

    @OojasSalunke
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    "The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
    platform
    comments
    37
    likes
    483

    "Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

    @Cashflowbubu
    platform
    star
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    Resumes de livres en vedette
    Crucial ConversationsThe Perfect MarriageInto the WildNever Split the DifferenceAttachedGood to GreatSay Nothing
    Categories tendance
    Self HelpCommunication SkillRelationshipMindfulnessPhilosophyInspirationProductivity
    Listes de lecture de celebrites
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Collection primee
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Sujets en vedette
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Meilleurs livres par annee
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
    Outils d'apprentissage
    Knowledge VisualizerAI Podcast Generator
    Auteurs en vedette
    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
    BeFreed vs autres applications
    BeFreed vs. Other Book Summary AppsBeFreed vs. ElevenReaderBeFreed vs. ReadwiseBeFreed vs. Anki
    Informations
    A propos de nousarrow
    Tarifsarrow
    FAQarrow
    Blogarrow
    Carrieresarrow
    Partenariatsarrow
    Programme Ambassadeurarrow
    Repertoirearrow
    BeFreed
    Try now
    © 2026 BeFreed
    Conditions d'utilisationPolitique de confidentialite

    Points clés

    1

    The Three Second Rule for High Stakes Moments

    0:00
    0:32
    1:08
    1:18
    1:39
    2:07
    2

    Why Your Brain Thinks Your Manager Is a Predator

    2:29
    2:43
    3:12
    3:19
    3:43
    4:02
    4:30
    4:38
    4:58
    5:19
    3

    Moving Beyond the Awkward Elevator Silence

    5:34
    5:51
    6:10
    6:17
    6:38
    6:45
    7:08
    7:21
    7:46
    3:19
    8:14
    8:27
    4

    Mastering Upward Communication and Technical Disagreements

    8:42
    9:02
    9:20
    9:23
    9:48
    10:01
    1:08
    3:19
    10:52
    11:12
    11:37
    11:50
    5

    The Code Review Battlefield and Permanent Records

    12:03
    12:22
    12:46
    12:54
    13:24
    13:36
    14:02
    14:09
    14:33
    14:50
    15:13
    6

    The Art of the Recovery When You Mess Up

    15:34
    5:51
    16:08
    16:16
    16:42
    16:56
    17:11
    3:19
    17:46
    18:01
    7

    Managing the "Confidence Tax" of Self-Doubt

    18:17
    18:29
    18:54
    19:05
    19:28
    19:44
    20:12
    10:01
    20:47
    21:06
    8

    Preparation: The Secret to Sounding Strategic

    21:29
    21:43
    22:07
    22:15
    22:32
    14:50
    23:00
    3:19
    23:31
    23:53
    9

    Building Your "Easy to Work With" Reputation

    24:09
    24:26
    24:51
    3:19
    25:21
    11:50
    25:49
    26:02
    26:18
    26:34
    10

    Practical Playbook: Your 1:1 and Meeting Readiness

    26:45
    26:57
    27:16
    27:36
    27:52
    28:07
    28:23
    3:19
    11

    Closing Reflections: From Panic to Professionalism

    28:53
    29:12
    29:23
    29:42
    29:54
    30:04
    30:09

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