561. Building Trust Through Vulnerability w/ Leslie John

Jan 22, 2026

40:57

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In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer sits down with Leslie John, a behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School and author of the thought-provoking book, Revealing: The Underrated Power of Oversharing. Together, they challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding sharing personal information, arguing that the real risk lies not in oversharing, but in undersharing.

Leslie's research reveals that revealing more about ourselves can strengthen connections, foster trust, and enhance decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. As they explore the nuances of sharing, Melina and Leslie discuss the importance of context, the dynamics of vulnerability versus transparency, and how these concepts play out in workplace interactions, especially during high-stakes scenarios like job interviews.

Listeners will be encouraged to reflect on their own sharing habits and consider how a little more openness might improve their relationships and effectiveness at work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and build deeper connections with others.

In this episode:

Discover the concept of TLI (Too Little Information) and its impact on relationships.
Learn how oversharing can actually lead to stronger connections and trust.
Understand the difference between transparency and vulnerability in communication.
Explore strategies for effectively sharing information in workplace settings.
Gain insights into the role of authenticity in job interviews and professional interactions.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/561.