E46: How “Yes, and Improv” Can Boost Team Innovation and Culture With Amanda Austin
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Ever wondered what improv comedy can teach us about building high-performing teams and authentic connections at work? In this episode, Dr. Bobbi Wegner sits down with keynote speaker, coach, and former Dallas Comedy House CEO Amanda Austin to explore the transformative power of improvisation in business. Discover how simple shifts in listening, embracing failure, and cultivating a "yes, and" culture can spark creativity, deepen trust, and bring teams together even in the face of uncertainty.
Amanda Austin is a keynote speaker, coach, and the former CEO of Dallas Comedy House, where she spent over a decade helping teams and leaders think, communicate, and collaborate through the science of improvisation. She has worked with organizations like McKinsey, Hilton, Deloitte, and the U.S. Army, and teaches innovation and change in the MBA program at SMU. Amanda’s unique approach combines improv, organizational psychology, and human-centered design to help teams build trust, adapt to uncertainty, and create environments where everyone’s voice is heard.
KEY TOPICS
Improv isn't just offsite games, it's everyday skills for deeper listening and collaboration at work [00:02:21]
The "yes, and" mindset: how acknowledging AND building on others' ideas fosters psychological safety and innovation [00:11:27]
Why most teams have a connection problem, not just a communication problem and how improv addresses it [00:10:17]
Embracing uncertainty and failure as core to team learning, growth, and resilience [00:22:16]
How leaders' misreading of silence can signal disengagement and the early warning signs of apathy on teams [00:23:38]
Todays guest, Amanda Austin, can be found online at:
Website:https://www.amandaaustin.co/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-austin/
Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:
Groops:https://www.joingroops.com/
Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu