Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, Author and Keynote Speaker.

Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin created improve it!: a unique professional development company that uses improvisational comedy and experiential learning to sharpen leaders and teams so they can thrive in ever-changing environments, and do it with a whole lot of laughs along the way.

Erin Diehl is a graduate from Clemson University, a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional, and a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theater.

Having spoken on global stages with companies, including Amazon, LinkedIn, McKesson, and the Obama Foundation, Erin has an energy and message to share with the world that creates lasting ripple effects for change. As a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women’s Cohort, Erin is a living testament to the power of life-long learning, and how working to understand ourselves helps others to do so, too.

Erin is the proud host of a Top 1% Global Podcast, The improve it! Podcast, which you can find anywhere you listen to pods! She is also a first time author to the Amazon Best Seller & Top New Release book: I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team Through Radical Empathy.

Among her many accolades, Erin is most proud of successfully coercing over 35,000 professionals to chicken dance.

When she's not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys walking on the beach with her husband, son, and eight-pound toy poodle, BIGG DIEHL.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The power of empathy in leadership and relationship building
• The concept of energy in leadership as the capacity to affect others positively
• How combining self-love and selfless leadership can impact culture
• Erin’s 3P’s that led to her becoming the author of Amazon’s Best Seller, “I See You”
• The impact of power skills like vulnerability and compassion in leadership
• The value of exercises and activities in personal and professional development
• How to learn from the experiences of good and bad leaders to improve your own leadership skills

Aditional Resources:

• Website: www.learntoimproveit.com & www.itserindiehl.com
• Podcast: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erindiehl
• Instagram: @itserindiehl
• Book: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you
• Listen to Previous Episode

Guest Bio:

Pat Carroll is a devoted husband and father of four but also a storied athlete and a respected leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. His journey began on the basketball courts of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he played as a Division 1 athlete.

Pat was a key player on the legendary SJU team that achieved a perfect 27-0 record during the regular season, earning them the #1 national ranking and a memorable run to the Elite 8 in March Madness.

In his senior year, Pat’s hard work culminated in being named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and the Big 5 Most Outstanding Player. That season, he led the nation with an impressive 135 made 3-pointers and set the record for the all-time leader in career 3-point field goal percentage in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Transitioning from the adrenaline of basketball to the fast-paced world of pharma and biotech, Pat has become a Commercial Director at Inizio Engage. His expertise now drives team development, sales strategies, and innovative practices in the industry.

Pat is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, regularly contributing tips and best practices on LinkedIn, where he also indulges in his love for the art of shooting—both on the court and in business strategy.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The importance of trust and vulnerability in building high-performing teams

• The importance of preparation to ensure readiness for any situation

• How trust is a key component of a successful team, both 'earned trust' and 'given trust'

• The importance of clear roles and responsibilities within a team

• How overcoming adversity as a team can lead to a stronger, more cohesive unit.

• The importance of learning and teaching every day as a means of personal and professional growth

• How success translates from athletics to business, particularly in terms of preparation, teamwork, and performance

Additional Resources:

• https://inizioengage.com/

• Pat’s LinkedIn

• Pat’s X/Twitter

Sarah Wirth is the President of Ecsell Institute and the Amazon best-selling author of "The Coaching Effect." With over 20 years of experience in employee assessment, leadership development, executive coaching, and customer service, Sarah has a proven track record of driving growth and excellence.

She began her career as a talent analyst, coaching leaders in diverse organizations, and later led a consulting firm to a 65% revenue increase. As Vice President of Client Services at Ecsell Institute, she boosted client retention to over 94% before becoming President in 2019.

Sarah is passionate about leadership and its impact on team performance, bringing an analytical approach to high-performing sales leaders. She is a sought-after presenter for global executives from top companies like Mercedes Benz, Estee Lauder, and Ritz Carlton.

Holding a B.A. from the University of Nebraska and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, Sarah combines her legal expertise with her leadership insights to drive innovation and success at Ecsell Institute.

What You’ll Learn on this Episode:

• The significance of understanding and improving leadership behaviors

• What the Coaching Equation is and how it drives performance

• The importance of creating complexity for growth and development

• What are the four key coaching activities for effective and high-impact coaching

• The impact of building strong and trusting relationships with team members

• How the practice of leadership helps leaders increase their self-awareness

• The significance of ongoing career discussions and feedback in fostering growth and improvement

• Why leaders should take time to understand their team member's career goals and personal interests

Additional Resources:

• Sarah’s LinkedIn

• Learn about Ecsell Institute

• The Coaching Effect Book