Communication Psychology and HR – with Gerhard Ohrband
I’m Gerhard, a communication psychologist and consultant from Hamburg, Germany, working with HR teams and leaders in Moldova, South Eastern Europe, and beyond. Here, we explore the psychological research behind everyday HR and workplace communication — without buzzwords and without pretending everything is easy. Each week, we unpack one topic that HR professionals often hear about but rarely understand from a scientific perspective.
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Why Keeping Updated on Politics Improves Your Customer Service
<p>Many people say they’re notinterested in politics. But often, that really means they’re not interested inwhat’s going on in the world. And if we disconnect from the realities peopleface—economic pressure, uncertainty, frustration—we risk disconnecting from ourcustomers too.<br>Staying informed isn’t about picking sides. It’s about understanding people.And that understanding is what makes the difference between average andexceptional customer service.</p><p>#CustomerExperience #Empathy#Communication #Leadership #BusinessSkills #CustomerService#EmotionalIntelligence #ProfessionalDevelopment</p><p></p>
How to Handle Toxic People at Work
<p>At almost every seminar or speakingevent, someone asks me this question: How do we deal with toxic people atwork?</p><p>My answer is probably lesscomfortable than expected. Before labeling someone as “toxic,” it’s worthasking a few difficult questions. Could the situation be more complex than itseems? Is the other person simply under pressure? Or could there be somethingin the interaction that we ourselves unintentionally allow?</p><p>Sometimes what we call toxicbehavior is stress, misunderstanding, or a communication style shaped bysomeone’s background. Before escalating the situation, it may be worth having arespectful conversation, giving feedback, and allowing...
Learning Perspective-Taking in Conversation
<p>Learning Perspective-Taking inConversation</p><p>Here’s a small habit I try topractice: I regularly read or watch media from the side I usually disagreewith. Not because I want to adopt those views, but because it helps meunderstand how other people think.</p><p>The same principle works in theworkplace. If you work in one department, try reading what people in anotherdepartment read. Learn their vocabulary, their priorities, and how they seewhat’s happening in the company.</p><p>Understanding different perspectivesoften makes conversations easier—and more productive.</p><p>What do you think?</p><p>#communication #leadership#perspectivetaking #empath...
Listening to the Person Behind the Words
<p>Evernotice how much people reveal without saying it outright? The way someonespeaks, their tone, and what they leave unsaid can tell you a lot. Learning totune in with empathy rather than judgment changes how conversations unfold—andyour connections with others.<br>#CommunicationSkills #Empathy #ActiveListening #SoftSkills #Leadership</p>
Can I change my voice?
<p>Your voice shapes first impressionsmore than you might think. It’s not just what you say, but how your bodysupports your voice under pressure. Improving vocal impact is often less aboutpushing harder—and more about releasing tension where you don’t need it.<br>#communication #voice #leadershippresence #publicspeaking #selfawareness#professionaldevelopment</p><p></p>
Is “fake it until you make it” a good strategy for communication?
<p>We’re often told to act confidentfirst and let confidence follow. But in communication, people are far moreperceptive than we think. Subtle signals leak through, trust is fragile, andauthenticity matters more than performance. Maybe the real question isn’t howwell you can fake it—but how honestly you can grow into who you’re becoming.</p><p>#communication #authenticity#leadership #trust #personaldevelopment #psychology #publicspeaking</p><p></p>
Why “No Complaints” Might Be the Worst Sign in Your Company
<p>Why “No Complaints” Might Be the Worst Sign in Your Company</p>
Why Being Yourself Is Not Enough in Communication
<p>We are judged in every interaction —not for who we are “deep down,” but for the role we take on in that moment.Clarity about roles comes before authenticity and long before techniques.Without it, even good intentions can lead to poor outcomes.<br>#communication #roles #leadership #perception #authenticity#personaldevelopment</p><p></p>
Common Misconceptions About Communication Training
<p>Many people believe a communicationcoach must be a perfect communicator—or that coaching means being told exactlywhat to say. In reality, communication is messier, more human, and far moresituational. Drawing on a personal failure from my own professional practice, Iexplore why real progress in communication starts with feedback, courage, andaddressing what usually remains unsaid.</p><p>#communication #softskills#leadershipcommunication #businesscommunication #communicationtraining#coaching #humanadvantage #learningfromfailure</p><p></p>
Are Our Communication Skills Really Improving?
<p>In a world obsessedwith speed and technology, are we really getting better at listening,negotiating, and connecting? Explore why human skills—especiallycommunication—might be the real differentiator in today’s professional life,and why actively improving them is more important than ever.<br>#CommunicationSkills #SoftSkills #HumanConnection #Empathy #ProfessionalGrowth#PodcastEpisode</p>
