Radical Empathy is about taking the time to truly listen and understand the needs and emotions of others. It is about putting yourself in their shoes and seeing the world from their perspective. When we practice radical empathy, we create a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued. This leads to stronger relationships, increased trust, and a more positive work environment.

As Erin mentioned in her own experience, having a leader who practices radical empathy can make a world of difference. Instead of just focusing on climbing the corporate ladder and achieving personal success, empathetic leaders prioritize the well-being and growth of their team members. They show compassion, support, and understanding, creating a culture of care and respect.

In this episode of Tech Careers and Money Talk, host Christopher interviews Erin Diehl, the creator of Improve It, a professional development company rooted in improv comedy. 

Erin discusses how improv can help leaders and teams grow through play and experiential learning. She is also the host of the Improve It podcast and author of the Amazon bestseller "I See You." 

Join Christopher and Erin for insights on energizing teams through radical empathy and the power of improv in leadership development!

In this episode, we talk about:

• The Importance of Play at Work: Erin emphasized how incorporating play and improv into the workplace can level the playing field between interns and CEOs, leading to magical outcomes.
• Financially Focused Tech Employees: We discussed the unique challenges tech employees face when it comes to equity and financial planning, and how improv can play a role in navigating these challenges.
• Radical Empathy: Erin shared her journey and the concept of radical empathy, which involves deeply understanding and connecting with others while also taking care of oneself.
• Self-Love and Leadership: We delved into the idea that effective leadership starts with self-love and self-care, which then translates into better team management and a more magnetic culture.
• Improv Exercises: Erin walked us through an improv exercise called "Empathy," which helps develop a deeper understanding of others' perspectives, and shared insights on how improv can be used to enhance various workplace skills.
• The Ideal Day Exercise: Erin provided a framework for envisioning your ideal day, which can be transformative in understanding and directing your personal and professional life.
• The Impact of Improv on Tech Teams: We learned about how Erin's company, Improve It, helps tech teams communicate better and build stronger connections through improv based training.
• The Chicken Dance: Erin shared a fun fact about how the chicken dance is used in her workshops to break down barriers and encourage participants to step out of their comfort zones.

Episode Timeline:

• 00:00:00 - Masks at Work and Leveling the Playing Field
• 00:00:19 - Introduction to the Podcast for Tech Employees
• 00:00:40 - Introducing Erin and Improve It
• 00:01:41 - The Concept of "Improve It" and Professional Development
• 00:02:10 - The Importance of Fun in the Workplace
• 00:02:46 - Defining Radical Empathy
• 00:05:24 - Radical Empathy in Leadership
• 00:08:13 - Empathy Exercise Demonstration
• 00:09:31 - The Impact of the Empathy Exercise
• 00:16:28 - Self-Love and Leadership
• 00:19:13 - The Ideal Day Exercise
• 00:24:21 - The Gap in Self-Awareness and Leadership
• 00:29:35 - Protecting Your Energy and Vibes
• 00:32:52 - The Four-Day Work Week at Improve It
• 00:36:45 - Improve It's Approach to Corporate Training
• 00:41:42 - Effective Communication Workshop Example
• 00:43:51 - The Power of Play in Workshops
• 00:45:54 - The Chicken Dance and Breaking Down Barriers
• 00:47:04 - Fire Round: Quick Personal Questions

Connect with Erin Diehl: 

Website: https://www.itserindiehl.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/improve-it-podcast-professional-development-through/id1508450538

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itserindiehl/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erindiehl/