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How the Spotlight Effect Puffs Up Your Office Mistakes
Description
Ever replay an awkward office moment and assume everyone noticed? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the spotlight effect — the cognitive bias that makes us overestimate how much others see and remember our blunders. They open with a classic bungled presentation at a staff meeting, then dig into the psychology behind it, cite a famous study where students overestimated how many peers spotted a bad t-shirt, and discuss why it hits harder in hybrid work settings. They also touch on the spotlight effect's sneaky upside: it can make your wins feel more visible than they are, so you can use it to your advantage — without becoming that person who overshares. Along the way, they compare it to the halo effect and the mere exposure effect from earlier episodes, and offer a practical trick to shrink the spotlight when it matters: shifting your attention outward. Tune in for a refreshing, research-backed take on why your worst work moments probably aren't as memorable as you think.