264: Want an Easy Five Minute Gratitude Practice You Can Implement Today? We’ve Got Your Back!
Release Date: 11/13/2024
Workday Playdate
Think empathy is just a “soft skill”? Think again. It’s your leadership superpower—one that builds trust, fuels innovation, and keeps teams engaged. But here’s the kicker: real empathy isn’t just about feeling—it’s about leading with it. In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes you beyond the pages of her book I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy to unpack the ripple effect it’s had on leaders, teams, and workplaces over the past year. From boardrooms to book clubs, keynote stages to personal breakthroughs, this book has...
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Welcome to Workday Playdate—new name, same mission, more fun! If you're a leader looking to energize your team, you're in the right place. You care about your people, but leadership can feel like an uphill battle—burnout, disengagement, awkward silences. Sound familiar? Enter: Radical Empathy. In today’s Workday Playdate “Snack,” Erin gives you a quick win improv activity that you can try in your next meeting: 1. Ask: “What’s been your biggest challenge this week?” 2. Listen. Repeat back what they said in your own words. 3. Say: “If I...
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Radical empathy in leadership isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer. But practicing it? That takes intention, self-awareness, and a willingness to evolve. In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Erin sits down with Wendy Gonzalez to dive deep into what it truly means to lead with radical empathy. Wendy is the CEO at Sama and is passionate about building high-performing, high-functioning teams that develop and scale innovative, impactful technology. Wendy shares her bold philosophy of "firing yourself" annually—a practice that keeps leaders accountable to the ever-changing...
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Empathy at work (and outside of work) is simpler than you think, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In Episode 276 of the improve it! Podcast, Erin discusses why mastering empathy will unlock deeper connections, increase employee engagement, and give you more meaningful results. Erin gives you her 2-step shortcut for leading with empathy that you can bring to work tomorrow. She also gives you the deets on the improv game that you can play 100% of the time in your head to help you be more empathetic. If you’re working on training your empathy muscles this year—this is the episode for...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Imposter syndrome—two words that can stop even the most ambitious professionals in their tracks. But what if we told you that it’s not a roadblock, but a signal of growth? In today's episode, Erin sits down with the inspiring Victoria Jenn Rodriguez to flip the script on imposter syndrome. Victoria reveals why feeling like an imposter can actually be a good thing, and shares powerful strategies for overcoming self-doubt while leveling up in life and work. Here are five standout lessons from Erin's convo with Victoria: 1. Imposter Syndrome is a Sign of Growth Victoria Jenn reframes...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineWhat if five minutes could change everything about how you lead, connect, and thrive?
In today's episode, I reveal the powerful daily gratitude practice that shifted my mindset from scarcity to abundance—fueling not only my own growth, but transforming my team dynamics and leadership resilience.
If you’re ready for a simple, impactful habit to elevate your life and work, this post is for you! Here’s a quick look at how gratitude can revolutionize your life and leadership, just as it did for me.
1. Gratitude Enhances Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Gratitude has profound effects on mental health, reducing anxiety and depression while boosting overall mood. In this episode, I begin by sharing how this practice helped me refocus from a scarcity mindset—where stress and fear of “not enough” clouded my vision—to one of abundance and peace.
Listing just a few daily “wins” and things I’m grateful for gives my mind a positive focal point and sets the tone for my day. Practicing gratitude helps you focus on what you have, rather than what you lack, cultivating a mindset that energizes and uplifts both you and your team.
And if you’re looking for more info on forming an abundance mindset, I think you’ll love this ep: Episode 202: Self Worth = Net Worth: How to Live in Abundance
2. Fostering Team Relationships through Gratitude
Integrating gratitude in a team setting doesn’t just enhance your day, but strengthens your team dynamics. I found that a simple habit of sharing appreciation with my team, both in private conversations and during meetings, lifted our collective spirit.
This genuine acknowledgment brought cohesion and positivity to our interactions, boosting communication and morale. With everyone aligned and motivated, our work flowed better, and the energy shifted toward collaborative success, building a work environment that supports growth and achievement.
3. Building Resilience as a Leader
With gratitude as a grounding practice, I noticed an increased resilience to daily challenges. For instance, when obstacles like travel delays or sudden issues arose, my gratitude practice allowed me to pause, reframe, and face these situations with a calmer, more adaptive mindset.
Instead of letting stressful moments dictate my mood, I embraced each challenge as a lesson, focusing on what was still within my control. This approach not only supported my emotional regulation but also set a positive example for my team, showing them how to navigate challenges effectively.
4. Long-Term Leadership Impact
Sticking to my gratitude practice has had a long-lasting impact on my leadership style, making me a more empathetic, balanced, and approachable leader. The effects extended beyond my professional life, enhancing my relationships as a parent, spouse, and friend.
Embedding gratitude into your routine has a ripple effect—it supports personal growth and allows you to lead from a place of compassion and joy, ultimately making a positive impact on your entire team and community.
5. Start Your Own 5-Minute Gratitude Practice
The episode outlines a straightforward gratitude practice: reflecting on past wins, listing things you’re grateful for now, and setting intentions for the day. This five-minute habit can be done verbally, digitally, or in a journal and serves as a daily reset, focusing your energy on the positives. By committing to this practice, you’ll find shifts in mindset and improved emotional regulation that benefit your leadership style, relationships, and personal growth.
To dive deeper, listen to the full episode, and discover how gratitude can transform your leadership and inspire those around you.
And if you remember nothing else from this gratitude practice, remember this: what you focus on grows. Start each day by honoring the good, and watch how it attracts more positivity, resilience, and connection into your life and leadership.
No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
- Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite gratitude practice detail and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
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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!