Becoming You with Suzy Welch Turns Out, You’re Not Oversharing. You’re Undersharing with Harvard Professor Leslie John
Mar 3, 2026
Leslie John, a Harvard Business School professor who studies judgment and decision-making and wrote Revealing, discusses the upside of sharing more of your inner life. She explores how candid disclosure builds trust, why we hold back, and practical ways to reveal thoughtfully at work and in relationships. Expect funny, surprising personal stories and actionable ideas about practicing authentic self-expression.
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Peeing On Stage Became A Career Strength
- Leslie John told a conference story about peeing on stage as her most embarrassing moment and feeling immediate dread about career consequences.
- The two senior scholars who heard it later became close mentors because the disclosure signaled authenticity and trustworthiness.
Audit Your Day To Spot Unsaid Things
- Audit your day to notice unsaid thoughts and feelings because many disclosures never occur to us in the moment.
- Leslie tracked five unsaid items versus two said items each morning to become more aware and align behavior with values.
Silence Is A Costly Choice
- Silence often feels safe because negative feedback from speaking is vivid while missed opportunities from silence are invisible.
- Leslie John calls this a differential reinforcement pattern and reframes silence as a costly choice that accrues interest.
