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: 

• Episode 246: Is Your Professional and Personal Freedom Just Five Steps Away?

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.

Connect with Jessica Zweig:

• Jessica’s LinkedIn
• Jessica’s website
• Jessica’s Instagram
• Jessica’s podcast
• Jessica’s book, The Light Work

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

In today’s episode, Daralyse Lyons joins Erin on the pod. Daralyse is a business growth officer, podcast host, author, and journalist. Daralyse shares concrete strategies for making your workplace culture more inclusive and equitable. Daralyse also shares:

• Her experience working for a hedge fund and stepping away to teach yoga, which led to a career in journalism and writing her first book
• Her biracial identity and experiences growing up & as an adult in community with other biracial and multiracial folks
• How improv has prepared her to jump into whatever makes her happy and allows her to give back to the world

If you’re interested in learning more about biracial experiences and how to make your workplace more equitable—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• What a “partial offer” is on the improv stage & why it matters for your everyday life
• How to use improv to say “no”

 If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 114: How to Connect & Communicate in a Cross-Cultural World with Tayo Rockson

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.

Connect with Daralyse Lyons:

• Daralyse’s LinkedIn
• Daralyse’s website
• Daralyse’s book: Demystifying Diversity: Embracing our Shared Humanity
• Daralyse’s podcast

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Is the only component to your evening routine scrolling mindlessly on your phone before your eyelids can’t stay open anymore? You’re definitely not the only one. 😅 In today’s episode, Erin gives you the full rundown of the iDiehl Day—what it is and how you can use it to create the routine that the current season of your life is calling for. (Hint: it’s probably not more hours on the ‘Gram). She also shares how most recently she’s paired the iDiehl Day with chronobiology and Ayurvedic concepts discussed in the book Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life. Erin spills the tea on:

• How an accountability partner helps you actually stick to your morning routine
• Working out as a working parent & how to balance workout classes with home workouts
• The minute-by-minute breakdown of going from CEO to Mom to Erin each day

If your routine needs a little sprucey spruce—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• The breakfast Erin has eaten for 15 years and why
• When she finds reading time and how it adds up
• ~strategic~ showering

If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 242: Time Slipping Away? What's the Secret to Becoming a Time Management Pro?

Show Links:

• Check out the book referenced in this episode: Change Your Schedule, Change Your Life: How to Harness the Power of Clock Genes to Lose Weight, Optimize Your Workout, and Finally Get a Good Night's Sleep.
• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Here to get TRASHED?! 😝 Kidding, kind of. Founder & confidence sherpa, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host Nicole Kalil is here today to discuss how bringing her trash to the “transfer station” ie, dump, led her to interrogate the “trash” that was in her head or “head trash” and write her first book called Validation is for Parking. In today’s episode, Nicole explains what “head trash” is and the 3 things you need to know about it to become more confident. Nicole and Erin also talk about:

• Nicole’s personal story of BECOMING confident when she was climbing the corporate ladder and why this is different from all of the other voices telling us how to BE confident
• 5 things that derail your confidence and how to be aware of them
• Why you’ve been lying to yourself with the affirmations you’re using and how to actually believe them and embrace them

If you want to become more confident—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• Why “fake it til you make it” is out and its better replacement
• Why Nicole’s plan B is to be a detective

If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with: 

• Episode 126: Want to Gain Confidence, Get Comfortable with the Uncomfortable at Work? Try Chicken Dancing! (with Special Guest Cameron Roffey)
• Episode 121: Let Go of Your Leadership-Limiting Beliefs - How Improv Improves Your Confidence

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top best virtual keynote speakers stops today. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.

Connect with Nicole Kalil:

• Nicole’s website
• Nicole’s book, Validation is for Parking
• Nicole’s freebie, My Year of Confidence Action Plan
• Nicole’s Instagram

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

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: 

• Episode 238: Are You Ready to Use the Four-Step Checklist to Achieve Decision-Making Clarity?
• Episode 80: You CAN give feedback as a Leader, and it CANNOT be triggering with Kim Scott

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top virtual keynote speakers stops right now. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.
• Check out Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
• Check out Radical Candor
• Purchase a Passion Planner here

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Toxic leadership comes in all shapes and sizes, but there are common threads to look out for that can either help you exit and heal or empower your organization as a whole to make change. Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work & career psychologist, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host. She’s currently researching toxic bosses in the workplace and what this entails for psychological health. Erin and Dr. Laura discuss:

• Some of the telltale signs of toxic bosses in an organization
• “Hot spots” in toxic workplaces and how to take them seriously
• The healing phase after you leave a toxic boss

Dr. Laura shares her top methods for coping and processing when you have a toxic boss and aren’t able to exit the situation immediately. If you’re experiencing a toxic boss, have in the past, or know someone who is/has--this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• How to actually put your ego aside
• Erin’s own experiences with a previous toxic boss

What are the traits of a toxic boss? They come in many forms, but the most common traits of a bad boss are clear: grandiosity, micromanaging, demanding unrealistic expectations from employees, being too political, and not trusting their team. -Online Career Coaching Services How do I protect myself from a toxic boss? 5 Effective Tactics to Handle a Toxic Boss 1.    Do Not Take Their Treatment Personally. 2.    Find Allies and Support. 3.    Take Time Off to Recharge. 4.    Document, Document, Document. 5.    Be Your Own Advocate. -usnews.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 104: No Job is Worth Your Mental Health - Why Attention to Your Intention Matters with Jasmine Francis

  Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review 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 here.
• Your hunt for the top virtual keynote speakers stops right now. Learn more about our F Words at Work & Empathetic Leader keynotes here.

Connect with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett:

• Dr. Laura’s website
• Dr. Laura’s LinkedIn
• Dr. Laura’s podcast

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

What does planning your week around a McDonald’s lunch date with your daughter have to do with top leadership qualities? More than you think. And Erin’s dad, Fred Holbrook, is here to tell the tale. Fred worked in accounting, operations management, and owned his own appliance services business. He’s now retired—but does consulting on the side—and loves being a grandpa. Erin and Fred discuss:

• How being the parent of a strong-willed child (Erin, lol) helped him become a better leader
• How to balance being a leader and a parent
• Why negative feedback is just as essential as positive feedback & how to give it gracefully

Fred shares the top three leadership lessons he’s learned from parenting a strong-willed child and how you can apply them today. If you’re a working parent or you know a working parent – this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• Erin’s not-so-hot grades freshman year of college
• What it means to set parameters for your team

Does parenting have anything to do with leadership? Parents are the first people children interact with, which is why they play such an important role in the development of an individual's leadership skills. For many of my clients, if they're facing a particular challenge when it comes to leadership, I can trace it back to a parenting style they experienced as a kid. -Christine Laperriere What leaders can learn from kids? If you observe kids closely, you will notice that they can teach us a lot about leadership. 1.    Thirst for knowledge. 2.    Every day is a new one. 3.    Being creative and innovative. 4.    Collaboration. 5.    Persistence but with adaptability and resilience. 6.    Get moving. -plopdo.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 113: 5 Easy Time Management Hacks: My Weekly Schedule Breakdown as Full-Time Leader, Facilitator, Content Creator and Working Mom

  Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here.
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes.
• Ever thought about using improv workshops for business development? Check out our offerings here.
• Virtual employee engagement just got a whole lot easier. Learn about our virtual workshop options here.

Connect with Fred Holbrook:

• Email [email protected] and Erin will get you in touch with him!

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

You came into this world knowing exactly who you’re here to be, but the world gets to you as you grow older–weighing you down with other peoples’ opinions, paying your taxes, and 9 to 5s–and the actual purpose of your life is to remember what you came here for? Interestinggg. And if you think about how overcoming perfectionism plays a role in this idea...wowee. Human Potential Coach, Speaker, and Podcast Host Kamini Wood joins Erin on the pod today to discuss:

• Her own personal relationships with people-pleasing and perfectionism that began at a young age and how she’s working through them
• How to meet someone where they are, not try to get them to fit into the box you have for them
• What a values-based action is and how to start taking more of them

Kamini shares her concrete method for calling out your perfectionism and recalibrating in order to avoid perfectionism paralysis. If you’re a recovering perfectionist and/or people-pleaser – this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode:

• Why it’s not about not caring what others’ think, it’s about not making their reaction dictate what you choose to do
• Kindness > judgment

How to get rid of perfectionism? Celebrate your successes. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Set reasonable expectations. Break tasks into smaller steps and start simple. Remind yourself that perfection is not necessary. Limit your time on tasks. -calm.com What is the root cause of perfectionism? Perfectionism can be caused by conditions like Generalized Anxiety and OCD, as well as family, cultural, and workplace expectations. I often see perfectionism in people with a trauma history, as it can come from a desire to control things or avoid any potential negative consequences from mistakes. -choosingtherapy.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 149: Why Perfectionism is Harmful for Leaders with Jess Joswick

  Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes
• Happy Mammoth, the company that created Hormone Harmony, is dedicated to making women’s lives easier. And that means using only science-backed ingredients that have been proven to work for women. They make NO compromise when it comes to quality – and it shows. For a limited time, you can get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with the code PEEP at checkout.
• Picture this: delicious, chef-curated meals delivered right to your doorstep, with all the ingredients pre-measured and ready to go. Go to HelloFresh.com/peepapps for FREE appetizers for life! One appetizer item per box while subscription is active.
• Ever thought about using improv training for business development? Check out our offerings here.
• Virtual keynote speakers just got a side of failure and self-love. Learn about our two keynote offerings here.

Connect with Kamini Wood:

• Kamini’s website
• Kamini’s LinkedIn
• Kamini’s Instagram
• Kamini’s Facebook

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

What does knowing which days you need to shower and put on *real* pants have to do with time management? Everything and more, lol. In today’s episode, Erin shares the moment she realized that the five-day work week wasn’t working for her anymore; her top tips for staying focused and fresh (especially when you work from home); and how we can embrace the idea that our careers are marathons, not sprints. We’re in it for the long haul, so might as well make it achievable, peaceful, and productive. Erin shares her 5-step checklist for making the most of your week, every week. Hint: it has a lot to do with “batching” your days. If you’re struggling to keep your brain organized or churn out the work you know that you're capable of – this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: why batching her days helps Erin keep track of her hygiene and wardrobe choices What are the 5 keys to time management? Set reminders for all your tasks. Create a daily planner. Give each task a time limit. Block out distractions. Establish routine. -michaelpage.com Why do I fail to manage time? A Lack of Tools and Improper Use of Technology  If you are using the right tools — that is, the tools that properly fit your workflow and specific needs — time management becomes far less of a mental struggle, and more of a habit or daily activity that turns into second nature. -stormboard.com If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 240: How Has the Four-Day Work Week Reshaped Work-Life Balance and Productivity for Our Team?
• Episode 239: Is Thursday the New Friday? How to Work Fewer Hours, Make More Money, and Spend Time Doing What You Want with Joe Sanok
• Episode 216: How Does a Four-Day Work Week Impact Your Team? with Special Guest, Jenna McDonnell
• Episode 210: Work Less, Achieve More: Tales from a 4-Day Workweek

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes
• Happy Mammoth, the company that created Hormone Harmony, is dedicated to making women’s lives easier. And that means using only science-backed ingredients that have been proven to work for women. They make NO compromise when it comes to quality – and it shows. For a limited time, you can get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with the code PEEP at checkout.
• Picture this: delicious, chef-curated meals delivered right to your doorstep, with all the ingredients pre-measured and ready to go. Go to HelloFresh.com/peepapps for FREE appetizers for life! One appetizer item per box while subscription is active.
• Check out Shorter by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang that the improve it! team read and used to implement their own four-day work week.

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

What does sharing your “gaps” have to do with vulnerable leadership? More than you think, and Jacob Morgan is here to explain what that means. Jacob is a 5x Best-Selling Author, Futurist, & Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Employee Experience, & The Future Of Work. In today’s episode, Jacob joins Erin to discuss why he not only has work life values, but family life values as well; the difference between being vulnerable and leading with vulnerability; and how to not just talk about your mistakes, but work to solve them, and also be okay with making more mistakes as you work to solve them. Jacob shares an actionable step you can take today to embrace vulnerable leadership—and it has something to do with building your own “vulnerability mountain,” setting up “camp,” and taking the steps to climb it. If you’re interested in the new era of vulnerable leadership—this is the episode for you. Special sprinkles on top of this episode: times when your vulnerability can be used for you and times when it can be used against you. What is the value of being a vulnerable leader? It's about being honest about struggles, needs, and values. Leaders who embrace vulnerability create a culture where team members feel empowered to be honest and ask for what they need. This authenticity fosters a sense of connection and trust, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and innovative team. -LinkedIn How vulnerability can be a leadership superpower? Vulnerability, often misunderstood as a weakness, is, in fact, a superpower that can transform relationships, foster trust, and inspire change. It is the willingness to be open, honest, and authentic, even in the face of uncertainty and discomfort. -Coactive If you liked this episode, you can keep the party going with:

• Episode 80: You CAN give feedback as a Leader, and it CANNOT be triggering with Kim Scott

Show Links:

• Purchase Erin’s book, I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy
• Get our free Book Club timeline and checklist here
• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Please leave us a 5-star review and drop us any Qs you want answered in upcoming episodes
• Happy Mammoth, the company that created Hormone Harmony, is dedicated to making women’s lives easier. And that means using only science-backed ingredients that have been proven to work for women. They make NO compromise when it comes to quality – and it shows. For a limited time, you can get 15% off on your entire first order at happymammoth.com with the code PEEP at checkout.

Connect with Jacob Morgan:

• Jacob’s LinkedIn
• Jacob’s website
• Jacob’s podcast

Connect with Erin Diehl:

• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• Erin’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram
• improve it!’s website

For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.