“A fascinating look into why people reveal what they do about themselves—and how we can all communicate better with others.” —Arthur C. Brooks, bestselling author of From Strength to Strength

A groundbreaking book on the surprising potential of revealing more of ourselves to others, from a celebrated Harvard Business School professor and expert on the psychology of personal disclosure decisions

We all know the feeling: that gut-wrenching post-conversation replay, cringing at how much we just revealed. We live in fear of saying too much, so we keep our mouths shut, guard our emotions, and lock away our most personal thoughts. But what if we’ve been worrying about the wrong thing?

A growing body of research shows we vastly underestimate the value of sharing more than we think we should, with our spouses, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Drawing on over a decade of research and real-life stories, behavioral scientist Leslie John explores why we hesitate to open up, when sharing really does backfire, and how to strike a balance between too much and too little.

Learning to be more vulnerable and open at work and at home can unlock some of life’s richest rewards: deeper friendships, stronger professional relationships, greater well-being, and, yes, even love. Revealing is a road map for making smarter, bolder, and ultimately more satisfying decisions about just how much you want to share and why.

About the Author

Leslie John is the James E. Burke Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. Her award-winning research appears in top academic journals and media including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. A Canadian-born internationally trained ballet dancer, she now calls Boston home.