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In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re sending a leadership love letter to the quiet ones—the deep thinkers, the spreadsheet whisperers, the back-row observers who see everything. Because if you’ve ever left a meeting thinking, “Why didn’t they speak up?” or “I wish I’d said that…”—this snack’s for you. The Problem: Okay, picture this: You’re in a team meeting. The extroverts are riffing, the whiteboard is filling up, and you notice someone hasn’t said a word. You know they’ve got gold in their head, but they haven’t chimed in. Or maybe... that person is you. Too many workplaces reward the loudest voice in the room. But when we only value volume, we silence vision. And let’s be real—your quiet teammates? They’re not zoned out. They’re tuned in. The Improv Hack to Try: The Character Swap Hack What can you do to make space for that quiet brilliance? Here’s a leadership tweak I’ve never shared before—and it’s straight from the improv stage. Before your next meeting, mentally pick a quieter teammate. (No need to tell them—it’s your secret leadership lab.) Then ask: How would they run this meeting? What would they focus on? How would they pace it? Now the fun part: Kick off the meeting as if you were them. Use their tone, their cadence, their intentionality. In improv, we step into other characters to explore new perspectives. And when you do this in leadership? You build empathy, highlight hidden genius, and create meetings that feel less like a race—and more like a rhythm. Bonus: You might just change your whole team vibe for the better. Coming Up Wednesday: Loved this Snack? Don’t miss Wednesday’s full episode: Episode 292: 5 Improv Leadership Tips to Bring Out the Best in Your Quiet Teammates. It’s jam-packed with research, real stories, and tools you can use immediately to turn down the noise—and turn up the impact. Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin welcomes keynote speaker, facilitator, and introverted powerhouse Cristy von to the mic for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead from a place of quiet strength. Together, they dig into the surprising overlap between improv and introversion, showing how safe spaces, self-awareness, and a little bit of “yes, and” can transform leadership from the inside out. Cristy shares her journey from mistaking herself for an extrovert to fully embracing her introverted identity—and how that shift changed the way she leads, connects, and recharges. This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t require being the loudest in the room. Sometimes, it starts with simply knowing your limits and honoring them. Whether you're leading workshops, giving keynotes, or just trying to survive your next Zoom call, this one’s for anyone who's ever wondered if quiet can still be commanding. (Spoiler alert: it absolutely can.) Inside This Episode:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re giving the quiet leaders in the room a standing ovation—and a strategy. Because if you’ve ever felt invisible in loud leadership spaces, this one’s for you. The Problem: Corporate culture often rewards the boldest brainstormer, the fastest talker, the loudest voice. But what if you’re the deep thinker, the one who shines in 1:1s, and recharges solo? Too often, introverted leaders are overlooked—not because they lack ideas, but because they don’t shout them. That’s not a flaw. That’s a missed opportunity…for everyone else. The Improv Hack to Try: “The Power Pause” Next time you're in a meeting and have something to say—don’t jump in fast to prove you’re ready. Wait. Take a beat. Let the room settle. Then drop your insight with intention. That pause? It signals thoughtfulness, confidence, and leadership—without you ever raising your voice. In improv, silence isn’t awkward—it’s powerful. Use it to own your space and lead, your way. Want More Like This? Don’t miss Wednesday’s episode—Episode 291: “Introvert to Bold Leader: How Small Risks Turn Into Big Wins (Without Burning Out).” You’ll hear from Cristy Von, our Director of Talent at improve it!, as she shares her journey from quietly capable to boldly confident—and how improv helped her lead without changing who she is. Ready to take one small step toward showing up with more clarity and confidence? Download our newest freebie—The Confident Leader’s Toolkit—a 4-step guide to crafting a professional persona that actually feels like you. This plug-and-play resource helps you define how you want to be seen, align your presence with your purpose, and lead with authenticity (not performance). No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes the mic solo to spotlight a crucial topic often overlooked in hustle culture: self-care as a leadership strategy. Drawing from her own experience, she unpacks the often-misunderstood concept of introverted leadership and why rest, boundaries, and joy aren't just nice-to-haves, but non-negotiables for modern leaders. Erin shares a Top 10 list of creative, practical self-care strategies tailored for professionals who are tired of pretending that inbox zero is the holy grail. This episode is a reminder that thriving doesn’t require over-functioning—and that real productivity begins with personal peace. Inside This Episode:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In today’s Workday Playdate Snack, we’re tackling the kind of tired a nap can’t fix. Because if your soul is sighing—not just your body—this one’s for you. The Problem: You’re not just exhausted from meetings, deadlines, and life logistics. You’re tired because you’re performing all day and rarely just being. You’re juggling ten roles at once—boss, parent, mentor, inbox warrior—but none of them feel like the full, real you. That’s not burnout. That’s identity fatigue. The Improv Hack to Try: “Play the Wrong Character on Purpose” Today, in just one meeting, switch it up: Usually the fixer? Be the one who asks all the questions. Constantly over-prepared? Wing it (just a little). The quiet one? Try on bold, bubbly energy—just for fun. This isn’t about being fake. It’s about giving your overused identity a break and waking up parts of yourself that miss the spotlight. Want More Like This? Don’t miss Wednesday’s episode—Ep 290: Leaders Who Want to Thrive (Not Just Survive) NEED These 10 Self-Care Moves. We’re talkin’ naps, wiggling, calendar boundaries, and something called an LSD Day (no, not that LSD—but yes, it’s still life-changing). If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
Rha Goddess (Intentional Ambition: Redefining Success in a Post-Pandemic World) is a soul coach, author, cultural innovator, and founder of Move The Crowd. Rha Goddess returns to Workday Playdate to unpack what it means to lead with clarity, rest, and purpose in a world still recovering from burnout. She and Erin explore how our definitions of success have evolved, why rest is a leadership skill, and how intentional ambition is changing the way we work and live. Rha and Erin discuss the emotional toll of overwork, the quiet power of introversion, and how small, joyful rituals can help us heal from grief, anxiety, and the hustle-at-all-costs culture. This episode is a call to redefine ambition on your own terms—and to choose joy, even on a Tuesday. Inside This Episode:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In today’s Workday Playdate snack, we’re talking about moving beyond the checklist version of success—and finding work that actually energizes you. The Problem: You’ve hit the career milestones, but something still feels off. You’re busy, sure—but not fulfilled. That’s not laziness or burnout. It’s misalignment. The Improv Hack to Try: “The Commercial Break” Take 30 seconds and pitch your dream job like you’re in a commercial. Say what you do, who you help, and why it matters—in your most over-the-top voice. Then reflect: What felt real? That’s your purpose, hidden in plain sight. Journal Prompts: 1. What parts of my work feel most meaningful? 2. What’s draining me—and why am I holding onto it? 3. What would my ideal workday look like? If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Psychological Safety Playbook for Leaders here. Use this plug-and-play guide to building an environment where your team feels safe to share bold ideas, take creative risks, and fully engage in the work that matters most. No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
Dr. Adam Dorsay (Super Psyched: The Power of the 4 Types of Connection) is an author, psychologist, TEDx speaker, and podcast host. Dr. Adam Dorsay joins Workday Playdate to talk about the four kinds of connection that can radically transform your life, why enthusiasm is a secret superpower, and how adult friendships are often more vital—and more fragile—than we realize. Adam and Erin discuss the emotional lift of reviving past passions, the surprising benefits of JOMO (joy of missing out), and what improv can teach us about personal growth and taking creative risks. Inside This Episode:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
In today’s Workday Playdate snack, we’re talking about how to stop hating your job—and maybe even enjoy the humans you work with. The Problem: If you’re dreading Slack pings, counting down to Friday, or secretly fantasizing about moving to a remote island with zero meetings… it might not just be burnout. It might be a connection problem. We spend 90,000 hours of our lives at work—if we’re not feeling seen or having any fun, that’s a soul issue, not a schedule issue. The Improv Hack to try at your next meeting: “Role Call Remix.” Before your next meeting, toss out one unexpected, totally non-work prompt—but assign everyone a role to answer in. Like: “Answer as if you’re a pirate who just got promoted.” “Respond like your teenage self.” “Pretend you’re your favorite snack food come to life.” It’s weird. It’s wonderful. And it gets people out of robot mode and into real connection—fast. That’s the snack. Show up human. Get a little weird. And remember—work gets way better when we stop pretending and start playing. Journal Prompts:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
John Diehl is the head of talent development, a results-oriented HR professional, and Erin’s life partner. John joins the Workday Playdate to share his perspective on infertility, what it means to let go of a “fix it” mentality, and why having a core support group is instrumental to processing life events. Inside This Episode:
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
If this conversation made you think differently about work, leadership, or building joyful teams, please follow Workday Playdate on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use more play in their workday.
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