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
  • 271: Spark Joy, Set Goals: Intentional Leadership Tips that Work

    271: Spark Joy, Set Goals: Intentional Leadership Tips that Work
    Jan 1 2025
    What if the key to thriving under pressure was simpler than you thought? In today’s episode, Erin tackles one of the toughest challenges leaders face: staying positive and intentional during high-pressure situations. Whether you're leading a team through tight deadlines or navigating unpredictable circumstances, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with clarity and joy. Below are five key takeaways from the episode, giving you the tools to transform stress into an opportunity for intentional leadership: 1. Set the Stage: Define Your Leadership "Why" Intentional leadership starts with purpose. Leaders who act with clarity instead of reacting impulsively create stronger, more engaged teams. Research by Gallup shows that 70% of employee engagement is directly tied to the quality of their manager. Setting a clear "why" can transform mundane tasks into meaningful contributions. During the launch of I See You!, the improve it! team dedicated time to align their purpose with their goals. This exercise not only reinforced the mission, but energized their efforts as well--proving that purpose-driven leadership fosters both morale and productivity. Actionable Tip: Reflect on your "why" as a leader and how it aligns with your team’s objectives. Share this vision during team meetings to build a sense of collective purpose. 2. Spark Joy: Lead with Empathy and Creativity Leadership isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about creating an environment where your team feels joyful and valued. Studies from Harvard Business Review reveal that joyful employees are 20% more productive. Simple actions, like celebrating small wins or infusing creativity into routines, can make a big difference. Erin’s team’s decision to hold a goal-setting session by the Charleston waterfront exemplifies how changing the environment and mindset can spark inspiration. A surprise visit from a ladybug became a symbolic moment, reminding them that joy leads to serendipitous success. Actionable Tip: Incorporate small rituals of joy, such as sharing weekend highlights on Slack or starting meetings with a funny meme, to boost team morale. 3. Master Goal-Setting: Move from Vision to Action Effective leaders bridge the gap between vision and execution through structured goal-setting. The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is a proven method, with a 42% higher success rate, according to a study by Dominican University of California. During the I See You! book launch, Erin and her team set an ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 readers—a target that was both measurable and aligned with our purpose. Naming their ladybug "OprahGabby2024" and creating a hashtag around it infused fun and focus into this vision. Actionable Tip: Start your week by setting one SMART goal for yourself and your team. Break it down into smaller tasks and track progress. 4. Overcome Leadership Challenges with Intention Leadership is not without hurdles, from burnout to team conflicts. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in staying intentional. Tools like mindfulness practices and feedback loops can keep leaders grounded and connected to their teams. At improve it!, Erin and her team regularly set monthly intentions and check in with team members to understand their needs. This consistent effort fosters psychological safety and reduces resistance to change. Actionable Tip: Schedule a 10-minute reflection session at the end of each day to assess wins and areas for improvement. This practice helps maintain focus and adaptability. 5. Commit to a 30-Day Leadership Challenge Small, intentional actions compound over time, creating significant impact. In the episode, Erin encourages listeners to commit to a 30-day leadership challenge—such as starting meetings with gratitude or setting weekly SMART goals—to build positive habits. These practices improve team morale, engagement, and productivity, one step at a time. Actionable Tip: Choose one intentional leadership practice to implement over the next 30 days. Track your progress and share your experience with your team to inspire collective growth. Final Thoughts Intentional leadership is a journey, not a destination. By focusing on purpose, sparking joy, setting clear goals, and addressing challenges with intention, you can lead your team to thrive under pressure. As we learned from our community question, maintaining positivity starts with the small, deliberate choices we make every day. Ready to take the next step? Download our free guide, 100 Non-Cheesy Icebreakers, or grab your copy of I See You! to dive deeper into intentional leadership. Don’t forget to join our upcoming Intention Setting Workshop on January 16th—use code “improveitpeeps” for 20% off. Let’s lead with joy and purpose, together. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review ...
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    38 min
  • 270: Lessons, Laughs & Leadership: improve it! Podcast Year in Review

    270: Lessons, Laughs & Leadership: improve it! Podcast Year in Review
    Dec 25 2024
    2024 was a year of radical insights, heartfelt stories, and transformative lessons in leadership—and we’re wrapping it all up with a bang! If you’re ready to relive the top moments that took your leadership game from ‘meh’ to magnificent, buckle up because this isn’t just a recap; it’s your ultimate guide to starting 2025 stronger, more inspired, and more intentional than ever before. In this post, we’re summarizing the five most impactful takeaways from our top episodes, as shared by the incredible improve it! team. Whether you’re leading in the boardroom or in your day-to-day life, these insights will equip you with tools to approach 2025 with confidence, clarity, and, of course, a dash of joy. Let’s dive in! 1. Top Takeaways from Our Favorite Episodes The improve it! team shared their favorite episodes of 2024, each packed with wisdom and heart. Marketing Manager Nicole loved Episode 219 with Rha Goddess, where we explored purpose and career fulfillment. VP of Client Experience Jenna highlighted the inspiring Episode 236 with Jaime Raines, sharing insights on navigating the workplace as a transgender individual. Podcast Manager Rachel praised Episode 254 with Dr. Romie, whose mindfulness techniques helped us tackle stress with clarity and calm. As for Erin, her heart belongs to Episode 258 with Dr. Darnyell Jervey Harmon, whose abundance mindset advice reignited her confidence and purpose. These episodes reminded us to lead with empathy, authenticity, and joy. 2. Lessons from 52 Episodes and a Global Audience This year, we produced 52 episodes—12 solo shows and conversations with nine authors, nine podcast hosts, and even a sketch character (yours truly)! Our podcast also helped launch Erin’s book, I See You!, and expanded our Spotify presence by an incredible 145%. With listeners in 28 countries, we’re grateful to remain in the top 1% of podcasts globally. These milestones prove the power of investing in personal growth and connection. 3. Listener Engagement: The Heart of improve it! Our listeners—yes, you—are the lifeblood of this community. From your heartfelt Speakpipe messages to the thoughtful questions and goals you share, your engagement inspires every episode. The improve it! newsletter also became a hub for deeper connection. If you haven’t joined yet, sign up here to stay in the loop and keep the conversation going! 4. Big Wins and What’s Next Looking back, our year was defined by growth and intention. We gained clarity on our mission to help leaders thrive and introduced monthly themes inspired by I See You!. Looking ahead, we’re bringing in more amazing guests, live interviews, and stories close to my heart—all with an improv twist. Plus, our involvement with meaningful charities will amplify our mission to lead with purpose. 5. Your 2025 Leadership Challenge As we gear up for the new year, Erin challenges you to embrace an intentional leadership practice. Whether it’s starting meetings with gratitude, setting SMART goals, or reflecting daily on your growth, small steps lead to big changes. Let’s make 2025 a year of abundance, connection, and joy—together. Final Thoughts Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to another year of learning, laughing, and leading—improve it! style. Don’t forget to check out the full episode, and let’s keep improving, one improv-inspired insight at a time! 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 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 here. 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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    36 min
  • 269: What Are the Most Effective Ways to Navigate Difficult Conversations at Work? A Conversation with Justin Jones-Fosu

    269: What Are the Most Effective Ways to Navigate Difficult Conversations at Work? A Conversation with Justin Jones-Fosu
    Dec 18 2024
    What if the seeds you plant today could transform the world tomorrow? In today's episode, Justin Jones-Fosu challenges leaders to leave their "home base," embrace curiosity, and cultivate inclusion to create real impact—at work and beyond. Justin Jones-Fosu, founder of Work. Meaningful., joins Erin to share powerful lessons about leadership, communication, and humanity. Drawing from his personal story and years of experience, Justin teaches leaders how to navigate challenging conversations while fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or someone looking to improve team dynamics, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to create more meaningful, inclusive workplaces. Here are the 5 main takeaways from Erin’s conversation with Justin: 1. Leave Your Home Base Justin's mother taught him the importance of experiencing diverse perspectives. Leaders must step outside their comfort zones to understand and connect with others. 2. Plant Seeds That Last Leadership is a long-term investment. The actions you take and values you demonstrate today will impact people’s lives, even years down the road. 3. Embrace the Power of Three Instead of surface-level conversations, ask three probing questions to deepen understanding and help others feel truly heard and valued. 4. Challenge Your Perspective Justin introduced the "Circles of Grace Challenge," encouraging leaders to intentionally engage with ideas and people they might not align with to build empathy and broaden their worldview. 5. Lead with Curiosity, Not Conclusions Avoid assumptions during difficult conversations. Approach with curiosity by asking questions and truly listening to uncover different perspectives. Conclusion Justin's insights remind us that meaningful leadership goes beyond results—it’s about cultivating relationships, broadening perspectives, and creating a lasting impact. By stepping outside our comfort zones and practicing deep listening, leaders can foster teams where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to contribute their best. If this episode spoke to you, we’d love for you to share it with someone who may benefit from its insights. Send the link to this episode in a text/email while you’re thinking about it. :) No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight from Justin 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 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 here. Connect with Justin Jones-Fosu Justin’s LinkedIn Justin’s company website: Work. Meaningful. Justin’s personal 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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    39 min

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