Andy Molinsky is a Professor at Brandeis University's International Business School, with a joint appointment in the Department of Psychology. Andy received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and M.A. in Psychology from Harvard University. He also holds a Master's Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a B.A. in International Affairs from Brown University.

Andy's work helps people develop the insights and courage necessary to act outside their personal and cultural comfort zones when doing important, but challenging, tasks in work and life. His research and writing has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, Psychology Today, the Financial Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, NPR and Voice of America.

His first book, Global Dexterity (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013), received the Axiom Award (Silver Medal) for Best Business Book in International Business & Globalization and has been used widely in organizations around the world, including Boeing, AIG, the US Air Force Academy, and the Clinton Foundation, among others. His new book Reach was published with Penguin Random House in January 2017. He teaches, consults, and lectures widely to university and corporate audiences.

In today's conversation with us, Andy unpacks common avoidance strategies that even highly successful people use to avoid going outside their comfort zone, the five psychological barriers present and why it's so hard, and how to get beyond our avoidance tactics so we can learn, grow, and achieve our goals. We also explore cultural comfort zones and why it's important to learn how other cultures operate so we communicate and work effectively together despite cultural norms that may be quite different.

If you've ever been afraid of doing something new, you'll enjoy this refreshing look at growing beyond your comfort zone, how to do it authentically and confidently so you can achieve your dreams. Enjoy!

Key Takeaways

1. Even famous people like Gandhi, Adele and Hugh Grant have experienced anxiety when going outside their comfort zone.
2. Five surprising psychological barriers to getting outside our comfort zone include: Authenticity, Likeability, Competence, Resentment, and Morality
3. Avoiding doesn't make it easier; it actually makes it harder.
4. Learn how to avoid avoidance. It's an opportunity for self discovery and you may find that you're better at it than you thought.
5. Step outside your comfort zone on a regular basis – otherwise you'll forget what you learned and lose the confidence that you gained.

Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/business/206-andy-molinsky-growing-beyond-your-comfort-zone

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

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