Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" Getting to Yes, And… | Leslie John ‘Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing’
Feb 24, 2026
Leslie John, Harvard Business School professor and author of Revealing, explores the surprising effects of self-disclosure. She discusses how oversharing can build rapid rapport, links improv’s “yes-and” to vulnerability, examines risks like manipulation, and reflects on personal grief, family secrets, and the healing power of transparency.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Low Risk Settings Unlock Deep Disclosure
- Self-disclosure often increases when perceived risk is low because people assume they'll never see the other person again.
- Kelly describes meeting a stranger at a wealthy fundraiser, oversharing, then forming a 20+ year annual lunch friendship from that low-risk reveal.
Do Reevaluate Risk Before You Withhold
- If you wonder whether to disclose, remember most people's first thought is risk, which often overestimates harm.
- Leslie notes that the fear of being 'cringy' or ruminating often prevents sharing that could create connection.
Improv Trains People To Share And Build Rapport
- Improvisation teaches people to reveal personal details because accepting a 'gift' and building on it creates rapport quickly.
- Kelly and Leslie link improv exercises to tailored self-disclosure practice used at University of Chicago research workshops.
