When to Say What You Think (And When Not To) with Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker
The High Performance Podcast29 Okt 2025

When to Say What You Think (And When Not To) with Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q


What makes great communicators stand out isn’t confidence, charisma, or talent, it’s clarity.


In this episode, cognitive scientist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker joins Damian to explore the hidden psychology behind how we speak, listen, and understand one another. He explains why the real art of communication isn’t about what we say, but about how we build common knowledge, the shared understanding that allows people to think, decide, and act together.


Pinker calls it one of the most overlooked habits in high performance: the ability to step outside your own head and see the world as others do. It’s how leaders create alignment, how teams build trust, and how ideas truly land.


Together, we explore:


  • Why "everyone knows it" is completely different from "everyone knows that everyone knows it"
  • The essential habit of knowing when to make the unspoken spoken (and when not to)
  • How to use focal points to coordinate without words
  • The three types of human relationships—and why mixing them up destroys trust
  • Why blunt honesty can be just as damaging as ambiguity


Whether you're leading a team, navigating a difficult conversation, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, this episode will transform how you think about language, relationships, and coordination


Steven’s new book ‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…’ is out now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(669)

E21 - Frank Lampard: Taking on 100% responsibility, whilst retaining humility

E21 - Frank Lampard: Taking on 100% responsibility, whilst retaining humility

Frank Lampard is the current head coach of Chelsea FC. Frank retired as one of the greatest players of the modern era, with his legendary status cemented by his extraordinary achievements and statisti...

6 Sep 20201h 12min

E19 - Reece Wabara: Taking control of your life, your business and your brand

E19 - Reece Wabara: Taking control of your life, your business and your brand

Reece Wabara is a former professional footballer turned fashion CEO powerhouse.Reece played for Manchester City and several loan spells at clubs including Ipswich, Oldham, Doncaster, Wigan and Bolton,...

24 Aug 20201h

E18 - Phil Neville: Exploring the boundaries of your comfort zone

E18 - Phil Neville: Exploring the boundaries of your comfort zone

Phil Neville was a serial winner in his illustrious 18 year career as a footballer. Phil won 59 caps for England and was a regular with Manchester United in the 1998-99 treble-winning campaign.In tota...

17 Aug 20201h 3min

E17 - Shaun Wane: How to handle success and struggles exactly the same

E17 - Shaun Wane: How to handle success and struggles exactly the same

Shaun Wane is the current England rugby league Head Coach.Previously Shaun was Head Coach of Wigan, his hometown club for whom he made 149 appearances as a player, from 2011-18 - a period in which the...

10 Aug 202059min

Sir Chris Hoy: The importance of doing the work so you can enjoy the experience (E16)

Sir Chris Hoy: The importance of doing the work so you can enjoy the experience (E16)

Sir Chris Hoy is a true sporting legend and one of the most successful British athletes of all time with six gold medals and one silver.Chris won his first Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004, won three...

3 Aug 202055min

Dina Asher Smith: Believe in your own sauce! Focus on your strengths (E15)

Dina Asher Smith: Believe in your own sauce! Focus on your strengths (E15)

This week’s guest is Dina Asher-Smith, the reigning 200 metres World Champion and the fastest women in British history.Dina took gold at the World Athletics Championships in Doha having already taken ...

27 Jul 202058min

E14 - Marcelino Sambe: Dance like no-one is watching

E14 - Marcelino Sambe: Dance like no-one is watching

Portuguese dancer Marcelino Sambé is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. At just 25-years old, he already proved himself to be one of the most technically accomplished and inspiring stars in the world of...

20 Jul 202059min

E13 - Ole Gunnar Solskjear: Living authentically

E13 - Ole Gunnar Solskjear: Living authentically

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for Manchester United, but that doesn’t go nearly far enough in explaining his legacy at Old Trafford.On the field, the Norwegian became an emb...

13 Jul 202051min

Populært innen Helse

hvordan-har-du-det-mann
fastlegen
rss-gukild-johaug
psykodrama
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
rss-garne-damer
leger-om-livet
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
foreldreradet
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
rss-lopedrommen
treningsprat
klimaks
hjernesterk
g-punktet
biohacking-girls-din-podcast-for-optimal-helse
helsetipspodden
hverdagspsyken
hormonelle-frida
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten