DiscoverElevate Your AIQEp 71: What Improv Can Teach Us About Culture, Adaptability and Human-Centricity with Joel Zeff
Ep 71: What Improv Can Teach Us About Culture, Adaptability and Human-Centricity with Joel Zeff

Ep 71: What Improv Can Teach Us About Culture, Adaptability and Human-Centricity with Joel Zeff

Update: 2025-06-13
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Description

Bob Pulver sits down with Joel Zeff, who shares his unique journey from journalism to improv comedy and keynote speaking. They explore the importance of adaptability, the role of fun in the workplace, and how improv can teach valuable lessons about change and teamwork. Joel discusses his recent book, which encapsulates these themes, and emphasizes the need for individuals to embrace their potential in the face of change. Bob and Joel also explore the themes of human potential, leadership, and the integration of AI in the workplace. They discuss the importance of embracing change, the role of leaders in fostering team success, and the necessity of human skills in an increasingly automated world. The dialogue emphasizes the need for flexibility, adaptability, and the freedom to make mistakes as essential components of personal and professional growth.


Keywords


improv, comedy, leadership, adaptability, workplace culture, AI, teamwork, human potential, leadership, AI integration, adaptability, education, creativity, change management, team success, human skills


Takeaways




  • Joel Zeff transitioned from journalism to comedy and keynote speaking.




  • Improv teaches valuable skills about adaptability and change.




  • Fun in the workplace is essential for success and fulfillment.




  • Creating a positive work culture involves supporting and empowering others.




  • Joel's book encapsulates messages about leadership and teamwork.




  • Change is inevitable, and how we react to it determines our success.




  • Being prepared for change is crucial in any work environment.




  • Fun means different things to different people.




  • Embracing one's potential is key in the face of technological change.




  • The journey of learning and adapting is ongoing and essential. Human potential is about taking control of one's path.




  • Embracing change is crucial for success.




  • Leaders should focus on helping their teams succeed.




  • AI integration requires a balance between human and digital labor.




  • Human skills are essential in the age of AI.




  • Leadership is about building trust and relationships.




  • Education must adapt to include AI literacy.




  • Flexibility and adaptability are key in a changing world.




  • Making mistakes is part of the learning process.




  • Improv teaches us to be present and engaged.




Sound Bites




  • "You choose to be prepared for change."




  • "Stay in the game, find success."




  • "How do I help my team be successful?"




  • "AI should enhance human collaboration."




  • "The future of work is human plus AI."




  • "Education needs to incorporate AI."




  • "Flexibility and adaptability are key."




  • "Embrace mistakes to find freedom."




  • "Control how we react to change."




Chapters


00:00 The Journey of Joel Zeff: From Journalism to Comedy


02:59 The Power of Improv: Embracing Change and Adaptability


05:50 The Importance of Fun in the Workplace


09:07 Creating a Positive Work Culture


12:11 Unpacking the Book: Messages of Leadership and Teamwork


14:54 Navigating Change in the Age of AI


18:06 Human Potential: Embracing Skills and Adaptability


26:25 Embracing Human Potential


27:17 Staying in the Game: Embracing Change


28:47 The Role of Leadership in Team Success


30:40 Navigating AI and Human Collaboration


33:10 The Importance of Human Skills in AI Integration


36:39 The Future of AI Leadership


40:30 AI in Creative Processes


43:37 Education and AI: A New Paradigm


45:31 Flexibility and Adaptability in a Changing World


49:05 The Freedom to Make Mistakes




Joel Zeff: https://www.joelzeff.com/




For advisory work and marketing inquiries:


Bob Pulver:⁠ ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/bobpulver⁠⁠


Elevate Your AIQ:⁠ ⁠https://elevateyouraiq.com⁠⁠


Substack: https://elevateyouraiq.substack.com


What’s Your AIQ? Assessment interest form




Thanks to Warden AI (⁠⁠https://warden-ai.com⁠⁠) for their sponsorship and support of the show! Warden is an AI assurance platform for HR technology to demonstrate AI-powered solutions are fair, compliant and trustworthy. 



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Ep 71: What Improv Can Teach Us About Culture, Adaptability and Human-Centricity with Joel Zeff

Ep 71: What Improv Can Teach Us About Culture, Adaptability and Human-Centricity with Joel Zeff

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