What can business leaders learn from comedians? Dealing with failure? Speaking to crowds? Relating to an audience? What about using the lessons learnt from a breakup to make yourself a better leader? Our guest on this episode is an award-winning stand-up comedian, best-selling author and host of ‘The Breakup Monologues’ podcast, Rosie Wilby.

Rosie's latest book, The Breakup Monologues: The Unexpected Joy of Heartbreak, explores what skills someone can learn from breakups and why they can actually be beneficial. She's also the founder of a boutique music PR agency and a patron of the LGBTQ charity Switchboard. We talk to Rosie about building resilience, failure and much more.

Here's what we discussed:

• Could you tell us about what growing up was like for you and how you got into comedy? (00:59)
• What role has your sexuality had in either excelling your career or holding you back? (07:58)
• There's a belief that many comedians have faced adversity or had some problems that made them turn to comedy. Do you think this is true? (13:23)
• A big part of stand-up is failure. How have you learnt from those negative experiences? (16:34)
• Confidence in yourself and being able to speak in front of lots of people is an essential part of their job. Do you have any advice for our listeners on how to develop this skill and ultimately not care so much about what others think of them? (18:42)
• Resilience is a big part of being a comedian because you persistently face rejection. How do you build resilience? (21:44)
• What challenges have you seen people have with professional relationships in the workplace? (25:23)
• Why are breakups so important in teaching us life lessons? (28:37)
• Answer the Internet: How do you get over a fear of public speaking? (34:07)
• What makes a great business leader? (36:51)

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