Podcast Summary: Chief Change Officer Episode #271 - Erin Diehl: Talk Show Dreams, Improv Realities — Part One

Introduction

In Episode #271 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chen engages in a profound conversation with Erin Diehl, the founder and CEO of Improve It. This two-part series delves into Erin’s unique journey from aspiring talk show host to leveraging improv as a transformative tool in the professional world. The discussion explores themes of joy, failure, growth, and the intersection of art and business.

Erin's Early Life and Ambition

Erin begins by sharing her vibrant childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, emphasizing her innate passion for performance.

“When I was born, my mom said I came out of the womb dancing and saying, hello world, I'm here.” [00:31]

From a young age, Erin was immersed in the performing arts—dancing, acting, and even singing, though she humorously notes, “but not well.” Her ambition crystallized early: she aspired to become a talk show host, with Oprah Winfrey as her inspiration.

“I just wanted to be a talk show host like Oprah. I wanted to use my voice for good and make people feel really good in my presence.” [08:16]

Transition to Improv

Erin’s path took a pivotal turn during her time at Clemson University, where she graduated with a degree in communications in the early 2000s—before the rise of digital coaching platforms. Seeking to hone her hosting skills, she relocated to Chicago, engaging deeply with the improv community.

“I started taking improv classes and really fell in love with it as an art form.” [04:14]

Balancing a full-time job in business development with nightly improv classes at renowned theaters like Second City and Improv Olympic, Erin discovered the profound impact improv had on her professional abilities. Skills such as active listening, empathy, and quick thinking began to enhance her work life.

Founding Improve It

Recognizing the synergy between improv and professional development, Erin initiated her first workshop with United Airlines, which laid the foundation for Improve It in 2014. Initially offering sessions pro bono, United Airlines eventually became her first paying client, validating the effectiveness of her approach.

“Improve It is an improv-infused talent development company for the new generation of work. We use improv to teach people how to lead teams, how to be the highest versions of themselves, but it's ultimately all through play.” [12:28]

Over a decade, Erin expanded her offerings to include ten distinct workshops capable of hosting up to 100 participants each. These workshops integrate pre-work components, interactive improv activities, and comprehensive debriefs to contextualize lessons into daily professional practices.

How Improve It Works

Erin elaborates on the structure and methodology of Improve It's workshops, using Effective Communication as a prime example. Each workshop is anchored by a thesis statement and divided into manageable segments that combine active participation with reflective debriefs.

“Our key one thing that sets us apart is that we have successfully coerced over 40,000 people to chicken dance.” [18:13]

The methodology includes:

• Pre-Work Videos: Participants watch humorous videos demonstrating what not to do, setting the stage for learning.
• Improv Activities: Engaging, high-energy exercises that embody the workshop's themes.
• Debriefs: Sessions where participants relate their experiences to professional contexts.
• Key Takeaways: Summarizing insights and recognizing standout participants through rituals like the “chicken dance” champion award.
• Follow-Up Learning: E-learning courses that reinforce workshop lessons over the subsequent weeks.

Measuring Success

When discussing metrics, Erin clarifies that Improve It focuses on Return on Objectives (ROO) rather than traditional ROI. Success is gauged by how well the workshops meet specific client goals and the behavioral changes observed in participants.

“We don't measure your ROI, we measure your ROO, your return on objective.” [19:53]

Improve It offers three engagement models:

1. Culture Jumpstart: A single workshop aimed at initiating conversations and sparking initial change.
2. Culture Shift: A series of three workshops over a year, fostering continuous development and measurable behavioral shifts.
3. Culture Change: An extensive program with six engagements over two years, integrating core values and sustaining long-term cultural transformation.

Erin emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to cultivate environments characterized by higher collaboration, reduced problem-solving conflicts, and enhanced psychological safety.

“We aim to bring this positive experience to your organization. How you take it and run with it is left to you.” [19:53]

Personal Experiences with Failure

Towards the episode's conclusion, Erin introduces her keynote topic, “F Words at Work”, focused on embracing failure as a pathway to success. She hints at her personal battles with failure and teases deeper insights in Part Two of the series.

“The F words are all about failure plus the frequency of failure equals the fundamentals of success.” [23:47]

Conclusion

The first part of Erin Diehl’s conversation on Chief Change Officer sets the stage for a transformative exploration of how improv can revolutionize professional growth and organizational culture. Erin’s journey from a childhood dream to a decade-long career in talent development underscores the power of blending passion with purposeful innovation.

Vince Chen wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and stay tuned for Part Two, where Erin will delve deeper into her strategies for navigating and overcoming failure.

“Tomorrow in Part two, Erin will continue her story of failure and she comes up with a magical way of navigating and rising above the failure experience.” [24:14]

Key Takeaways:

• Improv as a Professional Tool: Enhances soft skills like communication, empathy, and adaptability.
• Return on Objectives (ROO): Tailoring success metrics to align with client-specific goals.
• Embracing Failure: Viewing failures as essential steps toward achieving success.

Notable Quotes:

• “I'm in the business of joy.” – Erin Diehl [10:29]
• “I am talking through just this greater good and I'm here to help the greater collective find joy in their day to day.” – Erin Diehl [13:58]
• “We have successfully coerced over 40,000 people to chicken dance.” – Erin Diehl [18:13]

For more insights and to follow Erin’s journey, join the Chief Change Officer community on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

This summary captures the essence of Episode #271, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened while highlighting key moments and insights from Erin Diehl's inspiring journey.