In this episode we discuss why people struggle to reach outside their comfort zones – and why it’s so critically important that you do, we explore the 5 core psychological road blocks stopping people from stepping outside their comfort zones, we go deep on how you can become tougher, more resilient, and embrace discomfort, how you can master the art of small talk, what you need to do to cultivate the skill of “global dexterity” and much more with Dr. Andy Molinksy.   Dr. Andy Molinsky is a professor of Organizational Behavior and Psychology at Brandeis University. Andy is the author of Reach: A New Strategy to Help You Step Outside Your Comfort Zone, Rise to the Challenge and Build Confidence, as well as Global Dexterity: How to Adapt Your Behavior across Cultures without Losing Yourself in the Process. He has been featured in Inc., Psychology Today, The Harvard Business Review, and was named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices for 2016.   We discuss:  Lessons from interviews with students, teachers, police officers, rabbis, priests, entrepreneurs, goat farmers - and the common lessons of WHY people struggle to step outside their comfort zonesWhy do people struggle to reach outside their comfort zones?The vital importance of stepping outside your comfort zoneThe 5 core psychological road blocks / challenges that make it hard to step outside our comfort zonesAuthenticity/Identity/Self imageLikabilityCompetenceResentmentMoralityImposter Syndrome and how it can trap you in your comfort zoneOur “amazing capacity” to avoid discomfort and seek reliefWhat happens when people avoid uncomfortable situationsHow we can often create imperfect substitutions for situations we want to avoidHow our minds rationalize excuses so that we can avoid uncomfortable things“Fear is about predicting the future” and we are often poor predictors of our own futuresSpecific tactics and strategies you can use to step outside of your comfort zoneHow conviction can help you step outside your comfort zone and push youCustomizing and tweaking situations to make them slightly more bearable can help you take that first stepThe danger of “catastrophizing” and always assuming the worst case scenarioThe power of clarity and getting clear on the truth about what you want, and what the worst case scenarios areHow we can build resilience and make the pursuit of discomfort stickThe power of a learning orientation and growth mindset to give you the ability to step outside your comfort zoneStepping outside your comfort zone starts in your mindThe power of desensitizing yourself to things outside your comfort zone, and what happens when you continue to have experiences outside your comfort zoneHow to deliver bad news to people, fire someone, and have tough conversationsThe dysfunctional conversations that might arise if you don’t know the right way to deliver bad newsThe vital importance of mastering the art of small talk & strategies for mastering small talkWhy every meaningful relationship you’ve ever had (other than family) started with small talkFocus first on building camaraderie and rapport, then trustListening, making connection, asking questions in an open ended wayDeveloping global dexterity and learning to act outside of your cultural comfort zoneLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.