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Erin Diehl

The Human Skills Strategist - Using improv to build the human skills AI can't replace

Erin Diehl is a keynote speaker who fuses improv comedy with leadership insights. Erin’s unique approach turns setbacks into growth opportunities, blending humor and self-compassion to energize and inspire. If you’re looking for a memorable, impactful experience that reshapes how you think about success, Erin is your go-to.

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Bio

Erin “Big” Diehl is a Business Improv Edutainer, Failfluencer, Keynote Speaker, and Coach. Through a series of unrelated dares, she 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—all while having a whole lot of laughs along the way.

Recently featured in The New York Times, Erin is a graduate of Clemson University, a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional, and a veteran improviser from Chicago’s top improvisational training programs, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theater.

Having spoken on global stages with companies like Amazon, LinkedIn, McKesson, and The Obama Foundation, Erin brings an energy and message that creates lasting ripple effects for change. As a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program and a member of The Chicago Innovation Awards Women’s Cohort, she is a living testament to the power of lifelong learning—and how understanding ourselves helps others do the same.

Erin is the proud host of The Workday Playdate Podcast with improve it!, a Top 1% Global Podcast available wherever you listen to pods! She is also a first-time author of the Amazon Best Seller & Top New Release, 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 56,000 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.

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Keynotes

Featured Keynote

Human Leadership in the Age of AI
Leading Yourself and Others When Everything Accelerates
Erin Diehl believes that leadership is not defined by titles but by the actions leaders take every day. In the age of AI, that belief matters more than ever. As technology accelerates decision-making, communication, and expectations, leaders are being asked to move quickly while still creating trust, connection, and clarity for their teams.

While AI can process information at scale, it cannot build culture, model humanity, or create psychological safety. That responsibility still belongs to leaders. In this interactive keynote, Erin Diehl brings human leadership back to the center of the conversation, showing why empathy, emotional intelligence, and intentional communication are essential leadership skills in a fast-moving world.

Throughout the session, leaders explore how their thoughts act as inputs, their words become prompts, and their actions create outputs that shape culture. AI does not create culture. It scales what already exists. When clarity, fear, empathy, or ego are present in leadership, acceleration simply makes those qualities louder, which is why unexamined leadership becomes one of the greatest risks in the age of AI.

Be prepared to use movement to START a movement of positivity and self-awareness that will awaken your mind, body, and leadership presence. This is an extremely interactive one-hour keynote session that infuses play, improv, and experiential learning to help leaders reconnect with themselves and with others.

If you want to enhance empathetic leadership at all levels and create a culture rooted in abundance rather than scarcity, (especially in the midst of rapid change and innovation), this is the session for you.

Participant Learning Objectives

Participants will:

Shift from scarcity-based thinking into more intentional, abundance-driven leadership that supports clarity and confident decision-making in fast-moving environments

Understand how thoughts act as inputs, how words and tone become prompts, and how both directly shape behavior, culture, and outcomes

Recognize how personal energy influences empathy, and how empathy impacts trust, communication, and team performance at scale

Reconnect with their visionary leadership power and learn how to harness it with intention, especially during times of acceleration and change

Create and implement their own i.D.i.e.h.l. Day, a practical framework for aligning thoughts, language, and actions in daily leadership moments

Translate thoughts and words into consistent, values-driven actions that model the kind of leadership they want to see in their teams

Walk away with a stronger understanding of self-awareness, empathy, and a clear roadmap for leading with humanity, confidence, and purpose in the age of AI
60-minute Interactive Keynote Session

“F” WORDS AT WORK
“F” WORDS AT WORK
Redefine Failure, and #Failfluence Your Way to Success

The Global Pandemic created a feeling of extreme failure for many people. This demonstration of defeat led to The Great Resignation and stifled innovation and less-than-ideal foundations of company culture.

Is there a secret sauce to redefining failure in the workplace? Yes. The answer is celebrating our failures (FAIL, YEAH!)

Erin Diehl, failing forward keynote speaker, has facilitated this keynote for companies globally and all over the US. She is your “keepin it real failfluencer bestie” who teaches you that failure is not an option - it is a MUST.

In this extremely interactive session, attendees will be on their feet as they practice viewing failure as “gifts” and gain an understanding that failing frequently leads to the fundamentals of success. Audience participation is required as Erin edutains through storytelling and improv-based activities. Wear comfortable shoes (shout out to the #slippersquad), and get prepared to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

If you want to innovate, ideate, and up-level your professional presence and company culture - getting comfy with failure is the only way.

Participant Learning Objectives:

Understand that the fear of failure is very common, and learn tools to change the narrative

Learn ways to see your failures as “gifts’ versus mistakes

Hold yourself accountable to failing frequently

Become a #failfluencer to those around you

How to failfluence using the m.o.v.e.o.n. method

Overcome perfectionism and embrace failing your way to success!

Topics

Leadership Trending
Mindfulness

Teambuilding & Collaboration Trending
Women's Empowerment

Erin Diehl Keynote Reel 2026

Erin Diehl Virtual Keynote Reel with Sage Studios

Erin Diehl and Amazon Web Services She Builds Talk

Erin Diehl Onstage at the Amazon Web Services Women of the Cloud Summit

Fox 24 News Now Clip of Erin's New Book "I See You!"

Erin Diehl on ABC Low Country Live

Can Improv Comedians Make A Living? Yes, in Your Office

New York Times Editorial about the work I've done with my professional development company, improve it!

Why High-Performing CEOs Are Treating Continuous Learning as a Leadership KPI: Erin Diehl's Approach

High-performing CEOs are redefining leadership success by treating continuous learning as a measurable KPI, not a soft skill. Erin Diehl's approach emphasizes that in rapidly changing environments—especially in the age of AI—leaders who prioritize growth, curiosity, and adaptability outperform those who rely on static expertise. By embedding learning into daily leadership behaviors, CEOs model resilience, foster innovation, and create cultures where teams feel safe to experiment and evolve. Diehl highlights that learning isn't an event but a habit, and when leaders actively invest in their own development, it drives stronger decision-making, deeper engagement, and long-term organizational success.

Why Play Matters: The Improv-Infused Approach That Boosts Communication, Confidence, and Team Dynamics

Traditional leadership training often fails because it relies on passive methods like presentations and theory, which don't effectively build real-world human skills. This article highlights how Erin Diehl's improv-based approach uses play to develop communication, confidence, trust, and adaptability in a more experiential way. By engaging both the head and the heart, improv creates psychologically safe environments where individuals can practice being present, think on their feet, and respond authentically. Backed by research, this method strengthens teamwork and creative problem-solving, showing that play isn't unproductive—it's a powerful, science-supported tool for meaningful behavior change and stronger team dynamics.

What Improv Taught Erin Diehl About Being a Better Leader (And Why You Should Try It Too)

This article explores how improv reshaped Erin Diehl's leadership, shifting her from control and performance to authenticity and connection. Improv principles like “yes, and” encourage collaboration over critique, helping leaders build trust and foster innovation. By embracing presence, vulnerability, and adaptability, leaders become stronger listeners and more confident decision-makers. The article highlights how experiential, play-based learning creates lasting behavior change, proving that letting go of perfection leads to more effective leadership, stronger relationships, and a more engaged, creative team environment.

How Improv-Driven Development Is Becoming a Competitive Edge in Corporate Learning

This article explains how improv-driven development is emerging as a competitive advantage in corporate learning by shifting away from passive training toward experiential, real-time skill building. It argues that traditional programs fail to prepare leaders for uncertainty, while improv techniques strengthen adaptability, communication, and collaboration. By practicing unscripted scenarios, employees build confidence and learn to respond effectively under pressure. Organizations adopting this approach are seeing stronger engagement, creativity, and performance, positioning improv not as entertainment but as a strategic tool for developing agile, human-centered leaders in rapidly changing business environments.

The Improv Advantage: How Play-Driven Learning Is Transforming NYC Workplaces

This article highlights how play-driven learning—especially through improv—is transforming NYC workplaces by making leadership development more engaging and effective. It argues that traditional, rigid training methods fall short in preparing teams for fast-paced environments, while improv builds adaptability, communication, and trust through real-time practice. By encouraging employees to embrace uncertainty, listen actively, and collaborate without fear of failure, organizations create more innovative and connected cultures. The article positions play not as a distraction, but as a strategic tool that boosts confidence, creativity, and team dynamics, helping companies stay competitive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Why Erin Diehl Is Comfortable Embracing Failure (And You Should Be Too)

An editorial published on October 12, 2023 in response to my "F Words at Work" keynote.

Finding Power Through Failure

Business improv coach Erin Diehl explored how to turn mistakes into opportunities at the 2023 Booth Women Connect Conference.

How Erin Diehl Cracked the Code on Work-Life Balance

A editorial in Holy City Sinner Magazine

Bold Journey - Meet Erin Diehl

A quick "get to know you" article from Bold Journey

Meet Erin Diehl

An article published on August 8th, 2024 to "get to know Erin Diehl."

2024 I See You! A Leaders Guide to Energizing Your Team with Radical Empathy

“It's been a pleasure getting to know Erin. If you're looking for an energetic, funny and engaging speaker with a message relevant to all, reach out to Erin and her team.”

Allyson Wagner | Associate Director, Meeting & Events | Destination South

“Erin's preparation and professionalism was incredible. Not only did she keep the audience engaged with great content, she even incorporated our mission statement initiatives into her presentation. We can't say enough good things about our experience.”

Angie Williams | Chicago Booth Women's Connect Conference

"Erin Diehl is an exceptional keynote speaker who leaves a lasting impact. Her presentation was not only insightful but also engaging, keeping the audience hooked from start to finish. Erin's ability to convey complex concepts in a relatable manner is truly impressive. Her passion for the subject matter shines through, inspiring everyone in the room. I walked away from her keynote feeling motivated and empowered. Erin's expertise and charisma make her a standout speaker, and I would highly recommend her for any event."

Jess Lamb, Amazon Web Services

“improve it exceeded my expectations. The joyful, energetic expertise and results-oriented approach was contagious and left my team wanting more! Team building, increasing effective communication, presentation skills, or any number of challenges faced by leaders can be solved by Erin and her brilliant team. Highly recommended!”

Kelly | VP of Global Talent Acquisition, Lineage Logistics

"Erin and the improve it! team have been a JOY to work with. They have delivered multiple workshops with tangible results over the past few years for our company. Recently, they put on a keynote about Failure for our new college grads that got rave reviews. They are professional, flexible, engaging and inspiring. Highly recommend improve it! for professional development that is actually FUN."

Kelly Shockley, Head of Talent Development, Red Ventures

"If I could give Erin more stars I would! I saw her speak at the Booth Women Connect conference in 2022 and was able to bring her as a keynote speaker to a corporate event in 2023. She brings attention to detail, energy, charisma, and enthusiasm to any interaction (from 1:1s to large group speaking) and gets even the most jaded people (myself included) to their feet, clapping, chanting, and participating in the event! (Also, her team is pretty fabulous. Just putting that out there)."

Naomi Birman, US Cellular Marketing Team

"If you haven't been exposed to the Improve It! team, you need to check them out. Erin's ability to engage the audience and get people comfortable with the uncomfortable is a true talent. She leads all of her sessions with a growth mindset and embraces our failures as a learning opportunity in a safe and fun environment. I would highly recommend her for keynotes, leadership development, and self love building."

Suzie Rybicki, President, Charleston Women in Tech

"My student leadership group has now used improve it! for two years. Erin and team are incredible from start to finish. They take the time to learn about the group, the dynamics, the needs, the topics already discussed, and then they deliver an engaging and powerful session! We were all out of our comfort zones but in the best way possible. My students still reference that workshop and things they learned. HIGHLY recommend!"

Tori | Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Development, Clemson University

Erin Diehl

Bio

Keynotes

Human Leadership in the Age of AI

Topics

“It's been a pleasure getting to know Erin. If you're looking for an energetic, funny and engaging speaker with a message relevant to all, reach out to Erin and her team.”

“Erin's preparation and professionalism was incredible. Not only did she keep the audience engaged with great content, she even incorporated our mission statement initiatives into her presentation. We can't say enough good things about our experience.”

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Erin Diehl

Bio

Keynotes

Human Leadership in the Age of AI

“F” WORDS AT WORK

Topics

“It's been a pleasure getting to know Erin. If you're looking for an energetic, funny and engaging speaker with a message relevant to all, reach out to Erin and her team.”

“Erin's preparation and professionalism was incredible. Not only did she keep the audience engaged with great content, she even incorporated our mission statement initiatives into her presentation. We can't say enough good things about our experience.”

Let's find your perfect speaker!

Explore

Quick Links

Keep Up To Date