How improv Skills Can Make You a Better Leader (Even If You're Not That Funny)

Megan Redfearn unpacks the surprising links between improv, teams & leadership. In this hilarious and insightful conversation, Megan Redfearn joins Jessy Grossman to explore the unexpected but powerful intersection of improv and leadership. Together, they unpack how the core principles of improv—like “yes, and”, listening deeply, and being present—can dramatically enhance leadership skills, foster psychological safety, and build stronger team cultures. From quirky jokes to grounded leadership wisdom, this episode highlights how improv can be a game-changing approach to collaboration, coaching, and performance.

• Improv builds leadership muscles. It helps develop quick thinking, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.
• “Yes, and” is a leadership superpower. It fosters psychological safety, curiosity, and forward momentum.
• Divergence is necessary. Great teams need different perspectives and healthy tension to innovate and grow.
• Listening is a leadership skill. Improv teaches how to truly hear others and respond with presence.
• Coaching and improv overlap. Both require curiosity, co-creation, and letting go of control.

Connect with Jessy- Website: https://www.zlncoaching.com- Instagram: @coachjessygrossman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessy-grossman/

Understanding the Difference Between Leadership and ManagementIn this mini solo episode, we unpack one of the most overused (and misunderstood) buzzwords in the workplace: leadership. You’ve seen it splashed across LinkedIn with sunrise photos and TED Talk quotes… but what actually is leadership? And how is it different from management? In This Episode, We Explore:- 4 minute mark: The classic Managers vs. Leaders debate- 8 min mark: What scholars and thought leaders — from Simon Sinek to Warren Bennis to Peter Senge — say about leadershipMentioned in This Episode:- Simon Sinek quoting Bob Chapman- Warren Bennis- Peter Senge – The Fifth Discipline- Doc Norton quote from Forbes- Ekiru, F. A. (2025). *Effect of Leadership and Management Inefficiencies on Employee Motivation and Engagement in Community-Based Organizations in Turkana, Kenya*. IRASS Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(5), 11–18.And if you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who leads with heart — or is learning how to.

From Strategy to Results

In this episode, Jessica Grossman sits down with consultant Julian Chender to explore the nuances of organization design—what it is, how it works, and why it matters more than ever in times of disruption. Together, they unpack why new strategies require new designs - not just new org charts.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• Why aligning design with strategy is critical to achieving results

• The difference between structure and design—and why it matters

• What leaders often get wrong when trying to “break down silos”

• Why people shouldn’t be the first consideration in org design

• How to spot signals that your current design no longer fits your strategy

Julian reminds us: There’s no one-size-fits-all in organizational design. It’s about building the muscles necessary for sustainable strategy execution.

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