improve it! Podcast – Professional Development Through Play, Improv & Experiential Learning

Auteur(s): Erin Diehl | Business Improv Edutainer Failfluencer Keynote Speaker
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  • Résumé

  • *TOP 1% GLOBAL PODCAST* Hi friend, it’s Erin Diehl. I’m meeting you here to help you see yourself so that you can truly see those around you. Empathy = unlocked. Join me every Wednesday as I speak with personal and professional development gurus about the things that make this life pesky and beautiful. And with an improv-infused twist–thanks to my 13+ years of improv experience–this show will give you tangible techniques for transforming yourself through play to, above all, remember that no one is you and THAT is your superpower. Oversharing and knee-slappers guaranteed. Welcome to the improve it! podcast. Learn how to transform your team using improv: www.learntoimproveit.com Connect with us: info@learntoimproveit.com
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Gestion et leadership Économie
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Épisodes
  • 275: From Hot Mess to Goal-Getter: Real Talk on Intentions

    275: From Hot Mess to Goal-Getter: Real Talk on Intentions
    Jan 29 2025
    What if the secret to empowering your team and reclaiming your day wasn’t about setting more goals, but about leading with intention? Imagine turning your 'hot mess' moments into clear, purpose-driven leadership—this framework will show you how. 1. Self-Reflection: Know Your "Hot Mess" Moments Before you can set meaningful intentions, you need to identify where you are today. Effective leadership begins with self-awareness. Take time to reflect on your strengths, blind spots, and the patterns that hold you back. For instance, imagine a manager overwhelmed by endless meetings and tasks, only to end the day feeling unproductive. This "hot mess" state often stems from unclear priorities, not time management. To help uncover these habits, try the "Mirror, Mirror" improv exercise, where leaders mirror each other’s actions to build awareness of how their behaviors impact their teams. Authentic leadership begins with understanding yourself—and research supports this, showing that self-aware leaders build trust and reduce employee turnover. 2. Define Clear and Purposeful Intentions Goals focus on what you want to achieve, but intentions emphasize how you want to show up along the way. Instead of setting a goal to "increase team communication," focus on an intention like "fostering a safe space where everyone feels heard." This shift to intention-driven leadership makes goals more sustainable. Use the "Yes, And" improv exercise to layer intentions onto your leadership goals. For example, if your goal is to improve one-on-one meetings, your intention could be to "build deeper trust during those conversations." Studies from Gallup reveal that leaders with a clear sense of purpose are significantly more effective at engaging their teams. 3. Turn Intentions into Actionable Plans Intentions are only impactful when paired with concrete steps. If your intention is to "lead with empathy," plan to check in with each team member weekly for 15 minutes. The "Obstacle Course" improv exercise is a playful way to practice this, as participants map out their intentions while navigating unexpected challenges. This highlights the importance of creating triggers—such as calendar reminders—to stay consistent. Studies on implementation intentions show that linking actions to specific cues boosts follow-through by 91%. When intentions translate into daily habits, leadership growth becomes inevitable. 4. Maintain Flexibility and Adaptability Leadership rarely goes as planned, so adaptability is key. When unexpected challenges arise—like a project derailing due to budget cuts—a flexible leader adjusts the execution while staying anchored in the original intention. The "New Choice" improv exercise demonstrates how to pivot in real-time while preserving your core purpose. Leaders who model resilience not only solve problems more effectively but also inspire innovation within their teams. Harvard Business Review reports that adaptable leadership leads to 30% higher innovation rates. 5. Reflect and Iterate: Progress, Not Perfection Finally, remember that intentions aren’t "set it and forget it." Consistent reflection allows you to refine your approach. For example, a manager who struggles to mentor staff regularly may pivot to bi-weekly group mentoring sessions instead. Celebrate lessons learned with the "Failure Celebration" improv exercise, where leaders share moments of missed intentions, reframing them as growth opportunities. This iterative approach to intention setting boosts long-term leadership efficacy by normalizing progress over perfection, as highlighted by the Center for Creative Leadership. Final Thoughts By applying this five-step framework, you can unlock a new level of mindful leadership that empowers both yourself and your team. Pick one intention to focus on this week, and reflect each evening on how well you honored it. Share your progress on social media or within our improve it! community to inspire others. Intentional leaders create empowered teams—and this year, that leader can be you. If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Tomorrow Ready Checklist here. Use this checklist to remember who you are, what you stand for, and what you actually want to spend your time doing. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This ...
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    36 min
  • 274: Step Into Their Shoes: Intentional Empathy with Virtual Reality with Vivian Acquah

    274: Step Into Their Shoes: Intentional Empathy with Virtual Reality with Vivian Acquah
    Jan 22 2025
    Vivian Acquah is paving the way for more inclusive and equitable workplaces. She’s not just a DEI consultant; she’s a force of nature dedicated to helping leaders like you create cultures where everyone belongs. As the founder of Amplify DEI, Vivian combines innovation, empathy, and practical tools to inspire lasting change. You can connect with her on LinkedIn at the link below and get ready to feel inspired. In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Vivian and Erin get real about how to show up for your team and for yourself. They dive into everything from intention setting to the game-changing role of empathy in leadership. Vivian shares her journey of overcoming workplace discrimination—a story that’s both heartbreaking and empowering—and how it fuels her mission to make DEI accessible and actionable. Erin and Vivian also explore how cutting-edge tools like virtual reality can enhance DEI training, plus practical ways you can foster inclusion right now. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. But first, here are five nuggets of wisdom to take with you. 1. Start with Alignment Let’s face it: leadership without alignment is like a GPS without a destination. Vivian stressed the importance of knowing your values and setting clear intentions. When your actions match your mission, you’re not just leading—you’re inspiring. This is your reminder to check in with yourself: Are your actions in sync with your why? 2. Empathy: Your Leadership Superpower Empathy isn’t fluff—it’s the glue that holds inclusive teams together. Vivian shared how putting yourself in someone else’s shoes builds trust and connection. It’s about listening, validating, and creating space for others to thrive. If you’re not leaning into empathy, you’re missing the secret sauce of great leadership. 3. Think Outside the Box with Virtual Reality Imagine walking in someone else’s shoes—literally. Vivian blew my mind with how virtual reality can immerse people in diverse experiences, making DEI concepts hit home on a deeper level. This isn’t just tech for tech’s sake; it’s a tool to spark real understanding and action. 4. Mistakes Are the Price of Progress Here’s the truth: you’re going to mess up. And that’s okay. Vivian reminded us that mistakes are opportunities to grow, not reasons to stop. When you create a safe space for open dialogue, you empower your team to tackle tough topics head-on. Progress, not perfection, is the goal. 5. DEI is Everyone’s Job DEI isn’t just a box to check or something for HR to handle. It’s a collective responsibility. Vivian’s practical tools—like conversation cards—make it easier to engage your team in meaningful discussions. The future of DEI is about showing up, staying committed, and adapting as we learn. Final Thoughts This episode is packed with tools, tips, and truth bombs to help you lead with more intention and impact. Vivian’s insights remind us that creating inclusive workplaces isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. By embracing alignment, empathy, and innovation, you can inspire your team and make real change happen. If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Tomorrow Ready Checklist here. Use this checklist to remember who you are, what you stand for, and what you actually want to spend your time doing. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back. Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Connect with Vivian Acquah Vivian’s LinkedIn Vivian’s Amplify DEI Cards. Use promo code AMP2025MK10 for a 10% off discount at checkout. Vivian’s website Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedIn improve it!’s website improve it!’s Instagram
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    40 min
  • 273: Hey, Overthinkers! Let’s Simplify Your Intentions

    273: Hey, Overthinkers! Let’s Simplify Your Intentions
    Jan 16 2025
    Are you stuck in the endless loop of overthinking? Maybe you’ve rewritten the same email five times, hesitated to act on a great idea, or turned your to-do list into a novel. Overthinking doesn’t just waste time—it keeps you from living fully. In today’s episode, Erin tackles how to break free from the analysis paralysis and take intentional, meaningful steps forward. Here’s what you need to know: 1. The Problem with Overthinking Overthinking might feel like preparation, but it often paralyzes us instead. As Erin discusses in the episode, overthinking shows up as rehearsing perfect outcomes, hesitating to act, and losing momentum. It’s like being in an improv scene where second-guessing kills the energy. For leaders, this habit can hold back both personal progress and team performance. Life, like improv, doesn’t follow a script, and trying to control every detail often leads to frustration rather than fulfillment. 2. Start with Your “Why” The first step in simplifying your intentions is finding your purpose. Erin compares this to an improv game where you identify the core idea driving the scene. By clarifying what truly matters to you, you can focus on meaningful goals. Try this exercise: If your life were a play, what would the main character (you!) want to accomplish in this act? By anchoring your goals in purpose, you’ll cut through distractions and stay aligned with what’s most important. 3. Focus on 1–3 Key Areas One major takeaway from the episode is the power of focus. Just as too many ideas on stage can ruin an improv scene, too many goals can dilute your energy. Erin recommends choosing 1–3 focus areas that align with your “why.” For example, you might prioritize improving relationships, advancing professionally, or nurturing self-care. By narrowing your focus, you’ll achieve clarity and make meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed. 4. Break Goals into Micro-Actions Big goals can feel daunting, but breaking them into micro-actions makes them manageable. In improv, scenes are built line by line—and your goals should work the same way. If your intention is better self-care, start with small, actionable steps, like setting aside five minutes daily to stretch or meditate. Progress builds momentum, and every small win moves you closer to your larger vision. 5. Progress Over Perfection Finally, embrace the improv mindset of progress over perfection. No one delivers the perfect scene every time, and no one achieves their goals without a few missteps. Celebrate small wins along the way and view challenges as opportunities to pivot. In the episode, Erin shares an exercise to overcome mental blocks: shout out the first word that comes to mind to break the cycle of overthinking. It’s a simple, effective way to get unstuck and take action. Final Thoughts Overthinking keeps us in our heads, but action moves us forward. Simplifying your intentions is about doing what matters most. Today, take one intention you’ve been overthinking and break it into the simplest, smallest action you can take. Whether it’s sending an email, jotting down your goals, or taking a five-minute breather, start now. Remember, the magic happens when you leap. What’s your first step? Share your intention with Erin by tagging her on Instagram (@itserindiehl) or sending an email (info@learntoimproveit.com). Let’s keep each other accountable as we make 2025 the year of progress over perfection. If you’re interested in a bank of free resources to set intentions and work towards your goals on a daily basis this year – you can check out our freebies here. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy. Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode. Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.” Want access to a bunch of free resources for your work life? This is your personal jackpot that gives you access to the frameworks that help us thrive both personally and professionally. Whether you’re trying to improve your daily routine, flesh out an idea that you’ve had for quite some time, or want to add more play into your day - these resources have got your back. Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here. Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it ...
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    35 min

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