Why Overthinking Might Be Sabotaging Your Workplace Impact

Welcome to Speak With Impact! Each week, I share strategies to help you communicate with purpose, build trust, and create mentally healthy workplaces.

When you try to perfect every word, you stumble.

But when you embrace authenticity, you connect.

Why is this?

The answer comes from a lesson I learned while training actors to embody characters on stage. It’s an insight that will transform how you approach communication and mental health at work.

This is especially important as we navigate 2025... a time of change, opportunity, and connection.

But before we dive into that lesson, let’s zoom out for a moment and look at a fascinating story from the world of creativity.

A Stage, A Stumble, and a Revelation

Years ago, I worked with an actor struggling to bring true emotion to her character. She was set to perform on stage in front of THOUSANDS of people.

Despite her talent, she couldn’t connect with the raw emotions of her role. Her performance felt rehearsed, polished, and distant. She analyzed every line, every movement, striving for perfection.

Then, during a live rehearsal, it happened.

She faltered. She stumbled. She stopped being "perfect."

In that moment of imperfection, something extraordinary occurred. The audience leaned in. Her vulnerability and raw, unguarded emotion filled the space. The stumble wasn’t just a mistake, it was the turning point that brought her character to life.

This revelation struck us both: audiences don’t connect to perfection. They connect to truth.

They’re moved by authenticity, by vulnerability, by the messy beauty of being human.

This is a lesson that extends far beyond the stage. It’s a guiding principle for how we communicate, inspire, and lead in every area of our lives.

How This Applies To You

Think about the way we often approach communication in the workplace:

• We rehearse presentations to sound polished but lose the connection with our audience.
• We try to solve every employee’s challenge instead of creating space for honest dialogue.
• We strive to “look strong,” which can make us seem unapproachable.

These tendencies stem from overthinking and fear, of judgment, failure, or vulnerability.

But here’s the truth: Your ability to inspire and lead doesn’t come from being flawless. It comes from showing up authentically and creating space for others to do the same.

A New Approach: Speak, Connect, Empower

Here’s a simple framework I teach through my Speak With Impact Lab:

1. Speak With Purpose: Focus on your message’s heart, not the words themselves. What do you want people to feel or do? Lead with that.
2. Foster Trust Through Stories: Share a challenge you’ve overcome or a moment that taught you something valuable. Stories are the bridge to connection.
3. Create a Healthy Space: Prioritize emotional safety. Encourage vulnerability and let your team know it’s okay to be human.

When you lead with this framework, you create a culture where trust and mental wellness thrive.

Why This Matters

As Viola Davis once said, "The key to acting is to make yourself vulnerable, to be willing to make mistakes, and to trust that the truth will resonate."

The same applies to leadership and communication. When we embrace authenticity and allow space for imperfection, we create deeper connections and foster real transformation.

Your Next Step

This week, challenge yourself to show vulnerability in one conversation. Share a story, admit a struggle, or simply listen without judgment. Watch how it shifts the dynamic.

I’d love to hear how it goes! Reply to this email or share your thoughts on LinkedIn.

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?? Need a fresh start? Check out our workshops at Speak with Impact Lab.

Let’s make an impact together.

Warm regards,

Azizi