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

*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: [email protected]

270: Lessons, Laughs & Leadership: improve it! Podcast Year in Review 12/25/2024

270: Lessons, Laughs & Leadership: improve it! Podcast Year in Review 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 , where we explored purpose and career fulfillment. VP of Client Experience Jenna highlighted the inspiring , sharing insights on navigating the workplace as a transgender individual. Podcast Manager Rachel praised , whose mindfulness techniques helped us tackle stress with clarity and calm. As for Erin, her heart belongs to , 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 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 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 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/34594870

269: What Are the Most Effective Ways to Navigate Difficult Conversations at Work? A Conversation with Justin Jones-Fosu 12/18/2024

269: What Are the Most Effective Ways to Navigate Difficult Conversations at Work? A Conversation with Justin Jones-Fosu 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 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 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Justin Jones-Fosu Justin’s Justin’s company website: Justin’s personal Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/34495075

268: How Can Top Corporate Leaders Use Negotiation to Drive Unstoppable Success? Unlocking Secrets with Kwame Christian 12/11/2024

268: How Can Top Corporate Leaders Use Negotiation to Drive Unstoppable Success? Unlocking Secrets with Kwame Christian Did you know that you negotiate every single day—and not just in boardrooms or sales meetings? From discussing PTO with your boss to deciding dinner plans with your partner, negotiation is everywhere. But how often do we approach these conversations with strategy and confidence? In this episode of the Improve It! Podcast, Erin uncovers the secrets to navigating everyday negotiations with expert Kwame Christian. Kwame Christian is a renowned negotiation expert, speaker, and author, with years of experience helping individuals and organizations navigate difficult conversations with confidence. He is the Director of the American Negotiation Institute and the author of the acclaimed book Finding Confidence in Conflict. Here are 5 of our favorite takeaways from the conversation: 1. Negotiation Is Everywhere Kwame challenges listeners to recognize that negotiation happens far beyond formal boardroom settings. Whether asking for time off, resolving workplace conflicts, or navigating personal relationships, we negotiate daily. Becoming aware of these moments is the first step toward mastering them. P.S. - If you’re interested in learning more about negotiation from top experts in the field, try this episode on for size: 2. The Compassionate Curiosity Framework Kwame introduces a simple yet effective three-step method for approaching challenging conversations: 1. Acknowledge and Validate Emotions: Lower emotional tension by recognizing the other person’s feelings. 2. Get Curious with Compassion: Ask open-ended questions to build trust and gather information. 3. Joint Problem Solving: Collaborate to find mutually beneficial solutions. 3. Emotion Management is Key During the role-play, Kwame demonstrated how validating emotions helps de-escalate tension and fosters a more productive dialogue. For example, he acknowledged Erin’s hypothetical frustrations about PTO limits, which set the stage for a constructive discussion. 4. Curiosity Builds Trust By asking open-ended questions with genuine curiosity, you gain valuable insights and strengthen relationships. Kwame’s approach emphasized the importance of tone and empathy to keep conversations on track and uncover win-win opportunities. 5. Practice Makes Perfect Role-playing challenging scenarios, as Erin and Kwame did, is a practical way to build confidence and refine your negotiation skills. Kwame’s advice? Push yourself to handle even the most unreasonable counterpart with calmness and clarity. Conclusion This episode is a masterclass in handling difficult conversations with grace and effectiveness. Kwame Christian’s Compassionate Curiosity framework is a game-changer for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills, whether at work or home. If you loved this episode and know someone who might benefit from it, please share it by copying the link and sending them a quick text/email. Sharing is caring! No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a sharing your favorite insight from Kwame 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 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Kwame Christian Kwame’s company Kwame’s Kwame’s Negotiate Anything Kwame’s How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond & Finding Confidence in Conflict: How to Negotiate Anything and Live Your Best Life Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/34373305

267: Warning: This Vision Setting Strategy Might Actually Work! 12/04/2024

267: Warning: This Vision Setting Strategy Might Actually Work! What if the success of your team hinged on a single, powerful choice: which wolf you feed? Inside every leader lies the potential to cultivate either chaos and confusion or unity and inspiration. The secret? A clear, compelling vision that your team not only understands but wholeheartedly embraces. In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Erin delves into the transformative power of vision-setting for leaders. Borrowing wisdom from the story of the Two Wolves, she explores how leaders can shape their team’s trajectory by fostering a vision rooted in hope and purpose. Whether you’re leading a small group or steering an entire organization, this episode equips you with actionable steps to craft a vision that inspires action, fuels alignment, and drives long-term success. Below, are five key takeaways from the episode if reading is more your jam than listening—it can act as your roadmap to feeding the right wolf and unlocking the full potential of your team: 1. Start with the ‘Why’ Every compelling vision starts with a purpose. Erin discusses how a strong vision isn’t just motivational; it’s a strategic foundation for success. Using real-life examples, Erin illustrates how top-down, uninspiring visions (think jargon-filled monologues from “Chad the Boss”) fail to connect with teams. By contrast, involving your team in the vision-setting process ensures alignment and fosters enthusiasm. When leaders invite collaboration, they empower their teams to co-create a vision that resonates deeply and inspires action. 2. Define What Makes a Vision Great Not all visions are created equal. Erin breaks down what separates a vague, uninspiring statement from a clear, actionable vision. For example, Google’s mission to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” stands out because it’s specific and aspirational. Leaders can use similar principles to ensure their visions are not only ambitious but also meaningful and aligned with their team's purpose and values. The clearer the vision, the stronger the rallying point for your team. 3. Engage Your Team in the Process Collaboration is the secret sauce for creating a vision that sticks. Whether through interactive workshops, brainstorming sessions, or even fun activities like sketching vision boards, engaging your team fosters ownership and excitement. Erin highlights the “yes, and” brainstorming method to generate ideas and refine them collectively. By involving your team, you’re not just setting a vision—you’re building trust and driving alignment. 4. Communicate the Vision Effectively Even the most inspiring vision won’t resonate if it’s poorly communicated. Erin shares practical strategies for making your vision memorable, including storytelling, emotional connection, and creative delivery methods like campaigns or fun memes. The goal is to ensure that every team member feels the vision in their core and understands their role in bringing it to life. Passionate, clear communication transforms your vision into a unifying force. 5. Keep the Vision Alive and Evolving A vision isn’t static—it’s dynamic and should grow with your team. Erin emphasizes the importance of embedding your vision into daily operations and regularly revisiting it. By setting quarterly goals (or “rocks”), celebrating small wins, and adapting as needed, leaders can ensure the vision remains relevant and inspiring. This ongoing focus keeps your team aligned and motivated, even as challenges and opportunities evolve. Conclusion: Feed the Right Wolf As leaders, the vision we choose to feed determines the future we create. By crafting a clear, inspiring vision and involving your team in the process, you set the stage for alignment, motivation, and success. Ready to take the next step? Our Vision Setting Workshop is the perfect opportunity to feed the right wolf with your team. Whether in 2024 or 2025, let’s create a vision that inspires action and transforms your work culture. Learn more and book a Vision Setting workshop for your team here: No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a sharing your favorite vision setting hack 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 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/34274940

266: What Does It Take for Women to Gain Respect, Power, and Influence in the Workplace? Alison Fragale Spills the Tea 11/27/2024

266: What Does It Take for Women to Gain Respect, Power, and Influence in the Workplace? Alison Fragale Spills the Tea What if the key to unlocking your full potential wasn’t just about working harder or climbing the ladder, but about understanding the invisible forces that shape how others see you? In today's episode, Erin dives into a transformative conversation with Alison Fragale, an expert on power, status, and the subtle art of influence. Her groundbreaking insights from her book, Likeable Badass, offer a powerful roadmap for navigating life’s unspoken rules with authenticity, strategy, and even a little bit of fun. In this episode, Erin and Alison unpack the dynamics of power and status, revealing why they’re more than just workplace buzzwords—they’re the foundation of how we’re perceived and what opportunities come our way. Alison explains why respect is the true currency of influence, how life can be approached like a game, and why caring about what others think of you is not just normal but essential. Whether you’re navigating office politics, tackling imposter syndrome, or simply striving to show up as your best self, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom you can use to level up. Here are 5 big takeaways to chew on: 1. The Essence of Power and Status Alison began by distinguishing power from status: Power: Control over resources that others value (e.g., a boss deciding promotions or a parent holding car keys). Status: The respect and value others assign to you. She explained that while power is significant, status often precedes it. Respect and value lay the foundation for obtaining resources and authority. Without respect, people hesitate to entrust others with power, even if they technically qualify for it. Key Takeaway: "Resources follow respect." Gaining power often starts with earning the respect of others. 2. Status as a Playful Game Alison introduced the concept of status as a "game" using an insightful definition: “A game is a problem-solving activity approached with a playful attitude.” She encouraged adopting this mindset when tackling unfair or challenging situations. Though life's "games" (e.g., gaining status or respect) can be unjust, they can also be approached with creativity and enjoyment. By doing so, we can reclaim agency and find joy even in adversity. Key Takeaway: Life may not always be fair, but embracing a playful approach can make navigating status challenges more manageable—and even enjoyable. 3. Challenging the “Don’t Care What Others Think” Mentality Alison debunked the common advice to "not care what others think," labeling it as misleading and counterproductive. Humans are inherently social beings, reliant on their "audience" for validation and interaction. Instead of ignoring feedback, she encouraged understanding and influencing your audience. This nuanced perspective bridges authenticity with strategy: staying true to yourself while recognizing how others perceive you influences your outcomes. Key Takeaway: Don't obsess over others' opinions, but don’t dismiss them either. Learn to influence perceptions strategically while maintaining authenticity. If you’re curious to learn more about external validation vs. Internal confidence, check out this episode, too: 4. The Likable Badass Framework Alison introduced the concept behind her book title, Likable Badass, rooted in the two critical dimensions of status: Capability (Y-Axis): Competence, decisiveness, and the ability to get things done. Caring (X-Axis): Warmth, sincerity, and consideration for others. Everyone aspires to be seen as both capable and caring, and those who embody both traits earn the highest respect. The title encapsulates this balance in a catchy, empowering way. Key Takeaway: Strive to be both capable and caring. This sweet spot not only aligns with authenticity but also enhances how others perceive and respect you. 5. Overcoming People-Pleasing Tendencies Alison tackled people-pleasing behaviors, which often stem from a skewed emphasis on caring at the expense of assertiveness. People pleasers prioritize others’ happiness, often sacrificing their own. She emphasized that true status requires balancing caring with self-assertion, ensuring mutual respect rather than one-sided compromise. Key Takeaway: To overcome people-pleasing, assert your needs alongside your care for others. Authenticity paired with assertiveness builds respect without self-sacrifice. Closing Thoughts Alison’s insights offer a fresh lens on navigating the complexities of status and power. By blending authenticity with strategic action, we can shape how others perceive us and create the outcomes we desire. Whether you aim to become a "likable badass" or simply want to navigate life's "games" with more joy, these principles can guide your journey. How will you use these strategies to elevate your status and unlock new opportunities? Let us know in the comments below! No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a sharing your favorite insight from Alison 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 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Alison Fragale Alison’s Alison’s Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/34177890

265: Breath Control for Better Decision-Making: A Conversation with Samantha Skelly 11/20/2024

265: Breath Control for Better Decision-Making: A Conversation with Samantha Skelly What if the secret to conquering chaos, leading with confidence, and transforming stress into ease was as simple as your next breath? This week on the podcast, I sat down with breathwork expert Samantha Skelly to uncover the transformative power of intentional breathing. As the Founder of Pause Breathwork, Samantha Skelly is on a mission to help others unlock their infinite potential though breathwork. And her next big focus is making breathwork accessible & affordable to humanity, worldwide. From hilariously relatable mishaps (like sending a 10-year-old email to thousands) to life-changing strategies for managing energy and embracing joy, Samantha shared tools that could shift how we approach work, leadership, and even self-healing. Here were some of my favorite topics that we covered in the episode: 1. Managing Emotions Through Breathwork Samantha introduces the concept of consciously choosing your breath pattern to influence how you feel. Instead of letting anxiety take control, she suggests asking yourself what you want to feel, like confidence or clarity, and then adjusting your breath accordingly. By using deep, intentional breaths, you can activate the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” state), helping you feel grounded, even in high-stress moments. Btw, if you’re looking for another breathwork expert on the pod, I think you’ll love this one with Erin Telford: 2. Real-Life Example of Breathwork Samantha recounts an intense experience right before recording this episode, where an old, out-of-date email was accidentally sent to her entire mailing list. She describes feeling an initial surge of rage, then using breathwork to regain her composure and approach the situation with clarity. By taking two deep breaths and extending the exhale, she shifted from a “fight-or-flight” response to a calmer, problem-solving mindset. 3. Shifting Mindsets from Stress to Ease I reflect on my own experience with stress in building my company, improve it!, sharing how I used to view stress as a badge of hard work. In response, Samantha offers a framework called LIFE: Lucrative, Impactful, Fun, and Easy. She encourages business owners to allow success to feel easy and fulfilling instead of always hard-earned, emphasizing the importance of self-love and creating a business model that sustains rather than drains energy. For all things breathwork and how to start incorporating it into your daily routine (and why you should!), listen to the full episode. It'll blow your mind with how simple it is + the impacts it can have. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a sharing your favorite breathwork 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 about breathwork that we can answer, or a question about something else? Leave us a 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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 . Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Samantha Skelly Samantha’s Samantha’s Pause Breathwork website Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/33998552

264: Want an Easy Five Minute Gratitude Practice You Can Implement Today? We’ve Got Your Back! 11/13/2024

264: Want an Easy Five Minute Gratitude Practice You Can Implement Today? We’ve Got Your Back! What 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: 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 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. Have another question about gratitude that we can answer, or a question about something else? Leave us a 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 and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click 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? Click , scroll to the bottom of the page, and we’ll meet you in your inbox. :) Show Links Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it . Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/33913037

263: How Do You Balance the Holiday Season While Prioritizing Self Care? 11/06/2024

262: Job Hunting Got You Drained AF? Steal These Top Strategies for Avoiding Burnout with Daisy Auger-Dominguez 10/30/2024

261: Empowering Inclusion While Battling Isolation At Work? Here's How to Cope 10/23/2024

260: What are the Benefits of Encouraging Men to Practice Mindfulness at Work? 10/16/2024

259: What Should You Do When You Start to Outperform Your Boss? 10/09/2024

improve it! Podcast Trailer 10/02/2024

258: Is the Way You Think About Money Holding You Back? Dr. Darnyelle Reveals THE Million Dollar Mindset Secrets 10/02/2024

257: What Are the Secrets to Transforming Siloed Teams into Collaborative Powerhouses? 09/25/2024

256: How Can Leaders Embrace Career Curves? Insights from 'No Straight Path' Host Ashley Menzies Babatunde 09/18/2024

255: What Are the Best Ways to Infuse Fun into Your Teams' Daily Routine? 09/11/2024

254: Busy Brain? Dr. Romie Shares Her Top Mindfulness Techniques for Stress Management 09/04/2024

253: How Can You 'Yes, And' Transform Your Team's Brainstorming Sessions? 08/28/2024

252: How Can Self-Care Lead to Professional Abundance? Insights from Taylor Elyse Morrison 08/21/2024

251: What's an LSD Day and Why Are People Obsessed? (Hint: It's Not What You Think) 08/14/2024

250: Want to Unlock Your Infinite Potential and Remember Who You Are? Discovering 'The Light Work' with Jessica Zweig 08/07/2024

250: Want to Unlock Your Infinite Potential and Remember Who You Are? Discovering 'The Light Work' with Jessica Zweig What does a tiny tattoo of a key have to do with remembering who you are and what you’re here to do? All that and more, according to Chief Visionary Officer, serial entrepreneur, and #1 bestselling author Jessica Zweig. Jessica’s “it” has always been to be able to reflect back to people their divinity, their necessary responsibility they have to be themselves. Her work is to be your mirror and then get out of the way. In today’s episode, Jessica shares the ONE thing you can do to step into the light - and it’s not complicated at all, but it’s also not easy. 😊 Jessica also shares: Her experience starting her own business, growing it to a multimillion-dollar business in the first 5 years, and then selling it Her light-body activation at a temple in Egypt and the one big truth that it brought her Her definitions of “light” and “dark” and how anyone can be a “light worker” If you’re interested in remembering what you came here for and letting everything else go—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: Jessica and Erin's funny "run-in" in Costa Rica Being burnt out on a cellular level and how Jessica came back from it If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, virtual improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes . Connect with Jessica Zweig: Jessica’s Jessica’s Jessica’s Jessica’s Jessica’s book, Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/32465742

249: Demystifying Diversity with Daralyse Lyons: How Can Embracing Biracial Identity Lead to a More Inclusive Workplace Culture? 07/31/2024

248: How Do I Find Freedom Daily? A Candid Look at My Daily Routine 07/24/2024

247: Validation vs. Confidence: What's the Real Difference? A Chat with Nicole Kalil 07/16/2024

246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away? 07/10/2024

246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away? Sound too simple? It is, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. 😊 In today’s episode, Erin gives you her 5 steps to attaining personal and professional freedom on a daily basis. These steps are perfect to pull out at the beginning of the month to set yourself up for success (and with some room to breathe). Erin shares: How to set long-term goals to guide your actions + tell the universe how it can help you achieve them Why “clear is kind” and how you can practice effective communication as a leader who may also be a recovering people pleaser How to embrace the truth that you either adapt or get left behind If you feel like you should have more time than you do—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode “Batching” your life and how it will shoot your productivity through the roof Saying no to things that don’t meet your 4 P’s How to achieve personal freedom? Letting Go Of Fear. Setting Boundaries. Cultivating Self-Compassion. Pursuing Passion And Purpose. Simplifying Life. Mindfulness And Presence. Building Resilience. Expressing Authenticity. -Brainz Magazine What is personal freedom psychology? Personal freedom is freedom of your mind from what determines your thoughts, feelings and behavior. It is based on our ability to exercise choice. Although some circumstances may be more favorable for acting autonomously, choice is always possible regardless of circumstances. -personalsynthesis.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: Show Links: Purchase Erin’s book, Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes. Boring professional development is out, improv team building is in. Learn more about our offerings Your hunt for the top virtual keynote speakers stops right now. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes . Check out Check out Purchase a here Connect with Erin Diehl: Erin’s Erin’s Erin’s improve it!’s improve it!’s /episode/index/show/faileditpodcast/id/32071442

245: How Does Toxic Leadership Stifle Freedom in the Workplace? Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett Spills the Tea 07/03/2024

244: What Leadership Lessons Can You Learn from Parenting a Strong-Willed Child? A Conversation with My Dad 06/26/2024

243: What's the Key to Overcoming Perfectionism? Kamini Wood Unveils the Answer 06/19/2024

242: Time Slipping Away? What's the Secret to Becoming a Time Management Pro? 06/12/2024

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

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