Transformational growth strategies — Business Advancement

Improvising Through Crisis: Employing Comedy To Make Messages Stick [Episode 176]

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How has the Second City Improvisation Theater been improvising through crises?

Read Growth Igniters Radio Episode 176 Transcript

Find out by listening to Episode 176. Scott and I speak with returning guest Kelly Leonard, Executive Director Of Insights And Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, the business arm of the Second City Improvisation Theater.

His book, “Yes, And,” received rave reviews in Vanity Fair and The Washington Post. He co-leads a new partnership with Booth School at the University of Chicago that studies behavioral science through the lens of improvisation. (read more about Kelly below)

You’ll find out:

How The Second City has flexed its improvisational and comedy muscle to change its business model and increase resilience in the wake of multiple crises
Principles for appropriately using improvisation, humor, and comedy to navigate tough times
Three immediately actionable steps for employing improvisation and comedy to help messages get through and stick – even during a crisis

Fan Favorite: “Create New Opportunities Through Your Hidden Network” [Episode 147R]

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How can serving your existing network of connections lead to new opportunities?

Find out by listening on-the-go to Episode 147. In this popular episode, Scott and I revisit our conversation with returning guest and best-selling author David Burkus. His newest book, Friend of a Friend, offers readers a new perspective on how to grow their networks and build key connections — one based on the science of human behavior, not rote networking advice.

David is an Associate Professor of leadership and innovation at Oral Roberts University, and also author the best-selling books The Myths of Creativity and Under New Management. In 2017, he was named as one of the world’s top business thought leaders by Thinkers50. He is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, and his work has been featured in Fast Company, Financial Times, Inc magazine, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and CBS This Morning. He has delivered keynotes to leaders of Fortune 500 companies and the future leaders of the United States Naval Academy. His TED talk has been viewed over 1.8 million times. (read more below)

Gain insights on:

Why some of the common wisdom about human networks is often “misguided advice”
Examples of the types of “hidden network” connections most likely to lead to new information and opportunities
Immediately actionable ideas for finding your own hidden network and building key connections

Could the Gig Economy Make Your Office Obsolete? [Episode 164]

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How can your business make the most of the evolving “Gig Economy”?

Download and listen-on-the-go to Episode 164. Scott and I speak with Diane Mulcahy, an expert on the changing work environment and author of The Gig Economy. She created the first course in the country on the Gig Economy and teaches it in the MBA program at Babson College. The course gained immediate traction and was named by Forbes as one of the Top Ten Most Innovate Business School Courses in the country. (see more about Diane below)

You’ll gain insights about:

How Gig Work can be used to creatively respond to the turbulent business environment
The key to integrating Gig Work into your existing workforce and processes
Three immediately useful ideas for benefitting from the Gig Economy

How CEOs Can Use LinkedIn To Strengthen Business Relationships [Episode 159]

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What is the underused potential of LinkedIn for CEOs?

Find out by downloading and listening- on-the-go to Episode 159. Scott and I speak with Sid Vaidya, MBA. He is a commercial banking professional with over 10 years of experience working with middle-market businesses on growth and efficiency strategies. Prior to that he helped run a family food business.

Sid is an active networker and dedicates time to the business and social community. This includes running a networking event called Switch. (see more about Sid below)

You’ll gain insights on:

The underused potential of LinkedIn for CEOs and C-Suite execs
How to go from superficial connection to creating a valuable relationship
Three immediately useful tips for growing relationships using LinkedIn

The New Keys for Leadership Success in a Disruptive World [Episode 152]

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What are more boards looking for in CEOs, C-Suite, and Sr. Executives?

Find out by listening on-the-go to Episode 152. Scott and I speak with Peter R. Gleason, President & CEO of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).

He is a recognized expert on board leadership and corporate governance issues. He serves as a member of NACD’s national faculty, is regularly quoted in the national media, and is a frequent presenter on the subjects of corporate governance, executive and director compensation, risk, strategic planning, and board/shareowner relations.

He has served as a commissioner on every NACD Blue Ribbon Commission report issued over the past 16 years, including the most recent releases on Adaptive Governance: Board Oversight of Disruptive Risks, and Culture as a Corporate Asset. (read more about Peter Gleason below)