Episode 354: The Improv Advantage in Leadership with Anne Libera
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Improvisation is often misunderstood as something reserved for comedians and performers, but its real power extends far beyond the stage. In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Anne Libera to explore how improvisation can strengthen leadership and help us discover new possibilities in both work and life.
Through decades of experience teaching improvisation, Anne shares how curiosity, vulnerability, and authentic communication can transform the way we lead.
Discovery Is the Real Superpower
At the heart of both improv and effective leadership is discovery. Anne explains why great leaders focus less on performing or having all the answers and more on staying curious, present, and open to what emerges. By embracing discovery, we create stronger teams, make better decisions, and unlock greater creativity.
Flow Isn't Just for Artists
Many people associate flow states with athletes, musicians, or performers, but Anne reveals why leaders can access flow, too. She explores what flow feels like in improvisation and explains how creating the right conditions for presence and play can enhance creativity, innovation, and decision-making in the workplace.
Improv Is More Than Comedy
One of the biggest misconceptions about improv is that it's simply about being funny. Anne challenges this belief and shares how improvisation serves as a powerful practice for building new behaviors, embracing vulnerability, and developing more authentic ways of communicating and connecting with others.
Communication Through Gratitude and Connection
Meaningful communication often begins with recognition and appreciation. Anne introduces the "Thank You Because" exercise, a simple but transformative improv practice that helps foster warmer conversations, strengthen relationships, and navigate conflict with greater empathy and understanding.
Humor Is a Skill
Many people believe that you're either naturally funny or you're not. Drawing from her book Funnier: A New Theory for the Practice of Comedy, Anne explains why humor is actually a learnable skill. She explores the science behind comedy, recognition, and shared human experience, demonstrating how anyone can become funnier with practice and the right mindset.
About the Guest
Anne Libera is the Director of Comedy Studies at Columbia College Chicago and one of the country's leading voices at the intersection of improvisation, comedy, and education. She has spent decades training performers, leaders, and professionals to use improvisation as a tool for creativity, communication, and human connection. Anne has worked extensively with renowned improv institutions and organizations, helping people discover new ways of thinking, collaborating, and leading. She is also the author of Funnier: A New Theory for the Practice of Comedy, a groundbreaking exploration of how humor works and how anyone can develop it.
Your Freebie
How do you lead through failure and uncertainty?
Today’s workplace demands adaptability, creative problem-solving, and leaders who can navigate uncertainty without freezing in perfectionism.
This quick quiz will reveal your unique approach to failure and uncertainty, plus give you simple ways to strengthen your adaptability muscles and help your team thrive when things don’t go according to plan.
Connect with Anne Libera
Anne’s LinkedIn