How honest should you really be? Tips for sharing good and bad news
Summary
Reporter Andy Tegel discusses the science of communication with social psychologist Vanessa Bonds, author of *Should I Say Something?* They explore how to determine if honest feedback is actionable and desired, emphasizing that asking permission before sharing opinions respects others' autonomy. The episode also covers the benefits of deep, reciprocal questioning for building intimacy, the importance of sharing good news to strengthen relationships, and ethical frameworks for navigating complex dilemmas where no clear right answer exists.
Topics discussed
Introduction and sponsor reads
Sponsor messages for Legacy Box and The Visitors
When honesty is and isn't the best policy
The mum effect and the difficulty of giving feedback
Strategies for deciding whether to share feedback
The importance of asking before giving unsolicited advice
Why ghosting is often a sign of caring, not indifference
Sponsor messages and transition
Building intimacy through deep, reciprocal questions
The science of sharing good news and capitalization
The tradeoffs of sharing vulnerabilities at work
Managing the balance of positive and negative sharing
Ethical frameworks for difficult 'should I say it' dilemmas
Recap of key takeaways and episode credits
Final sponsor messages
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