Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

How Improv Can Level Up Our Creativity, Connection and Leadership | Kelly Leonard, VP of The Second City


Listen Later

Could improv comedy be the key to unlocking human potential?

Our guest today isn't just tossing around this idea—he's used the alchemy of the improv stage to forge groundbreaking strategies that are sure to ripple through business, sport, and life itself.

Let's set the stage for Kelly Leonard. His title—Vice President of Creative Strategy, Innovation, and Business Development—only begins to capture his role at The Second City. And this isn't just any theater. It's a global comedy powerhouse that gave us legends like Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler, to name a few. 

Yet the improv stage is merely a starting point for Kelly's broader mission. He's on an epic journey to inspire and empower people to use improvisation as a tool for positive change and growth. Kelly's best-selling book, 'Yes, And,' and a pioneering partnership with the University of Chicago reflect this mission—bridging behavioral science with the principles of improv.

I love how Kelly offers us unconventional wisdom on reframing challenges, daring to risk, and savoring the present moment in all its unpredictability.

And our conversation goes deep. We explore thoughtful leadership, building a culture that unlocks radical creativity, tools to deepen relationships and even some remarkably profound ways to approach grief.

So, if you're leading a team, wanting to live fiercely in the now, or simply searching for a fresh lens on life's curveballs, this is one episode you won't want to miss.

_________________

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindset

Follow us on InstagramLinkedIn, and X.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael GervaisBy Dr. Michael Gervais

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

1,593 ratings


More shows like Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

View all
The Rich Roll Podcast by Rich Roll

The Rich Roll Podcast

11,790 Listeners

FoundMyFitness by Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.

FoundMyFitness

5,299 Listeners

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk by Ryan Hawk

The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

1,288 Listeners

The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish by Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

2,645 Listeners

How Leaders Lead with David Novak by David Novak

How Leaders Lead with David Novak

562 Listeners

Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin by Seth Godin

Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin

1,759 Listeners

Worklife with Adam Grant by TED

Worklife with Adam Grant

9,189 Listeners

Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson

Modern Wisdom

3,771 Listeners

The Peter Attia Drive by Peter Attia, MD

The Peter Attia Drive

7,928 Listeners

The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

The Daily Stoic

4,755 Listeners

excellence, actually by Steve Magness, Brad Stulberg, & Clay Skipper

excellence, actually

320 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,189 Listeners

Deep Questions with Cal Newport by Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

1,291 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,304 Listeners

ReThinking by TED

ReThinking

610 Listeners