Discover how improv in leadership can transform your corporate culture in this episode featuring expert Jon Colby. We explore the powerful intersection of workplace empathy, psychological safety, and effective communication, offering practical strategies to make every team member feel valued and heard. Learn why mastering deep listening and the "Yes, And" mindset is essential for fostering an inclusive workplace culture, breaking down barriers for introverts, and turning professional mistakes into opportunities for growth. Whether you are looking to enhance your leadership communication skills or implement real-world empathy challenges, this conversation provides the tools necessary to build a more collaborative, connected, and high-performing team.

Sound bites

"You just want to feel like you matter."

"We get so stuck on words."

"Interested people are interesting to people."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Improv Background

02:39 The Power of Improv in Leadership

05:48 Connecting Improv to Workplace Empathy

08:40 Deep Listening and Communication

11:24 Creating Inclusive Environments

13:57 The Role of Failure in Improv and Leadership

16:58 Real-World Applications of Improv Techniques

20:12 Creating Comfortable Interactive Experiences

24:27 Building Connections Through Improv

27:59 The Power of Questions in Leadership

31:37 Passing the Empathy Torch

Guest Links:

Website: https://joncolby.com/

Social media:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joncolbyspeaks/

https://www.instagram.com/joncolbyspeaks

https://www.facebook.com/JonColbySpeaks

Join The Empathy Collective community and meet leaders like Jon: www.theempathycollective.com

Discover how empathy-driven leadership can transform organizational culture in this thought-provoking episode of the Return on Empathy podcast featuring Robert Quinn. Explore how fear-based leadership erodes trust, fuels dysfunction, and perpetuates toxic workplace cycles—and why vulnerability, authenticity, and collective intelligence are essential for lasting change. Drawing on powerful frameworks like “twice-born leadership” and the shift from vicious to upward cycles, this episode offers practical insights for leaders seeking resilience, cultural transformation, and human-centered performance. If you’re ready to rethink leadership, elevate employee engagement, and harness empathy as a strategic advantage, this conversation is your blueprint.

Sound Bites

"Fear drives dehumanization in society"

"Trauma from layoffs can linger for years"

"Change begins with one conversation"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Excellence

02:39 The Cost of Neglecting Collective Empathy

05:28 Fear and Leadership in Modern Organizations

07:39 The Impact of Fear on Human Interaction

10:18 Cycles of Fear and Disintegration

12:48 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

26:38 The Loss of Humanity in Leadership

27:39 Grieving and Strengthening Workplace Culture

28:52 Fear-Driven Mindsets in Organizations

30:46 Rethinking Executive Recruitment

34:02 The Cost of Unconventional Leadership

40:48 Imagining a Better Workplace

44:35 Creating Collective Intelligence

49:19 The Journey from C Student to Leader

Resources

Robert Quinn's Work on Leadership and Change - https://michiganross.umich.edu/faculty-research/faculty/robert-quinn

The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown - https://a.co/d/07QWcXKe

Future Shock Book (1984): https://a.co/d/03uxjTLV

Fear and Fury Book (2026): https://www.heatherannthompson.com/fear-and-fury

Learn more about Bob Chapman’s (former CEO and Chairman of Barry-Wehmiller) legacy:

https://www.barrywehmiller.com/post/podcast/2026/04/08/podcast--remembering-bob-chapman-pt.1

Learn more about The Empathy Collective: www.theempathycollective.com

Guest Links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-e-quinn-57b9a9100/

In the second installment of this Leadership Excellence Series, Robert Quinn challenges leaders to rethink everything they’ve been taught about performance and change—arguing that true transformation doesn’t come from fixing problems, but from studying and scaling excellence. This thought-provoking conversation dives into how deeply embedded systems shape behavior, why emotion is an often-ignored driver of results, and how empathy, purpose, and “sacred space” can unlock extraordinary performance. Quinn offers a bold invitation to move from fear-based leadership to a more conscious, purpose-driven approach—one rooted in collective empathy and human connection. If you’re ready to transcend conventional leadership and create lasting cultural change, this episode delivers both the mindset shift and practical steps to get there.

Sound Bites

"Emotion is a huge piece of reality"

"Adore them to produce excellence"

"Ask what result do I want to create?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Excellence

04:51 The Challenge of Conventional Systems

11:34 Transforming Fear into Faith

18:16 The Power of Empathy in Leadership

26:26 Purpose-Driven Leadership and Its Challenges

29:19 The Power of Love in Leadership

34:43 Inspiration Meets Practicality

35:27 The Threat of Purpose

38:18 Collective Empathy in Organizations

47:48 Transcending Conventional Leadership

55:47 The Universal Connection of Humanity

Resources

Robert Quinn's Books on Leadership and Excellence - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Robert+Quinn+leadership

Robert Quinn’s blog article on Collective Empathy:

https://robertequinn.com/uncategorized/collective-empathy/

Robert Quinn’s blog article on Personal Change and Sacred Space:

https://robertequinn.com/uncategorized/personal-change-and-sacred-space/

Guest links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-e-quinn-57b9a9100/

Learn more about The Empathy Collective: www.theempathycollective.com