In today’s episode of the Quiet Warrior Podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Susan Callender, a certified success coach, the host of the Social Skills Mastery Podcast, and the founder of Social Confidence Pro. Susan shares her journey from being a shy, reserved child to becoming a successful professional and coach who now helps socially reluctant high achievers build confidence and improve their social skills. This episode is studded with valuable insights for introverts and quiet achievers who struggle with stepping into the spotlight and speaking up, whether at work or in social situations.

Key Takeaways:

• The Roots of Shyness: Susan reflects on her childhood, describing herself as "lifelong shy," and discusses how social reluctance impacted her professional aspirations, particularly in sales and public speaking.
   
   
• The Fear of Rejection: She dives deep into how fear of social judgment and rejection can hold introverts back, even when they are highly skilled and competent in their jobs.
   
   
• The Turning Point: Susan shares a pivotal moment when a publicist’s blunt words made her realize that shyness was holding her back from fully embracing her success. Despite her achievements, she was avoiding the spotlight.
   
   
• Overcoming Social Fear: With the help of coaching, Susan reprogrammed her thoughts to move from overthinking and self-doubt to taking small, actionable steps to step up and own her brilliance.
   
   
• Neuroplasticity and Rewiring Your Brain: Susan emphasizes how you can rewire your brain to become more socially confident, sharing how changing your thoughts and perceptions can lead to professional success and personal transformation.
   
   
• Overcoming Overthinking: Learn how overthinking can be detrimental to progress, and how learning to trust yourself and make quick, confident decisions can open doors in both your personal and professional life.
   
   

Reflective Questions for Listeners:

• When was the last time you held yourself back in a professional setting due to fear of rejection or self-doubt?
   
   
• What thought patterns do you have that may be hindering your ability to speak up and be seen?
   
   
• Can you recall a childhood experience that shaped how you show up socially today?
   
   

Resources:

Susan’s Program – The School of Social Mastery: a selective, small-group cohort program designed to help rising professionals and entrepreneurs overcome social reluctance and build the confidence to speak up and stand out. Through coaching, participants learn to navigate their fears and step confidently into social situations, professionally and personally.

Find Susan:

• Website:Social Confidence Pro
  
  
• Instagram:@socialconfidencecoach
  
  
• YouTube:Social Confidence Coach
  
  
• LinkedIn:Susan Calendar
  
  

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This episode was edited by Aura House Productions