The Art of Charm is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/charm today to get 10% off your first month.Nom Nom delivers fresh dog food with every portion personalized to your dog’s needs, so you can bring out their best. Get 50% off your first two weeks at tryNom.com/artofcharm. Working out is tough. And finding a workout program that sticks, even tougher. Peloton’s classes don’t feel like a regular workout class, they feel like entertainment. In fact, you’ll be craving your workouts. Get started and download the free Peloton App today.Backed by a leading clinical trial where nine out of ten men experienced healthier and visibly improved skin, Caldera Lab has the tools to unlock your best first impression and confidence! Use code CHARM at calderalab.com for 20% OFF their best products.Factor, America’s #1 Ready-To-Eat Meal Kit, can help you fuel up fast with ready-to-eat meals delivered straight to your door. Head to factormeals.com/charm50 to get 50% off your first box.In today’s episode, we cover the importance of improvising with Kelly Leonard. Kelly's career in the theater industry began by accident. He was hired as a dishwasher at Second City in Chicago, where he met John Favreau. He realized improv was not magic, but a skill that could be practiced and applied in business, parenting, and relationships. Kelly established himself as an executive producer for Second City, coordinating performances for generations of comics, actors, and writers. Kelly has written a book, "Yes, And," outlining how he believes the core principles behind improvisation can be applied to spark and drive collaboration.In this episode of The Art of Charm, we explore the world of improvisation and its many benefits in communication, comedy, and creativity. From empathy and collaboration to resilience through failure, our guest speaker shares his experiences using improv to navigate ambiguity and uncertainty. We discuss the importance of listening, reframing, and storytelling, as well as the concept of post traumatic growth. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 How did Kelly Leonard get started in improv? Why is improv important for innovation? The Core Principles of Improv – 10:58 What are the core principles of improv and why do they apply to many areas of life? How do you lead a healthy conversation with someone you disagree with? The Magic of Mistakes – 24:02  How do we leverage mistakes to create success or make progress toward your goals? What simple exercise can you use to reframe negative events in your life to be positive? Creating Comedy – 42:30 How do you formally create comedy? How do you give status to people you’re talking to? What simple tool can you start using today to make conversations easier, engaging, and more fun for anyone involved? Many of us are familiar with improv comedy but did you know the principles of improv can be used in business, parenting, and relationships? Every time you have a conversation with someone, you are improvising because you can’t predict what the other person will say and so you must improvise every time the other person responds to something you say. The best conversations are fluid and dynamic, making both people feel comfortable and natural. But to be good at improvising, you must practice it just like you would any other skill. Resources from this EpisodeYes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration by Kelly LeonardKelly Leonard on TwitterSecond City’s websiteCheck in with AJ and Johnny!AJ on InstagramJohnny on InstagramThe Art of Charm on InstagramThe Art of Charm on YouTubeThe Art of Charm on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly Leonard, VP of The Second City, discusses how improv comedy can enhance creativity, connection, and leadership. Topics include reframing challenges, building a culture of radical creativity, tools for deepening relationships, and approaching grief. Great for leaders, those seeking a fresh perspective, and improv enthusiasts.

Anne Libera and Kelly Leonard, improv instructors and ambassadors at The Second City, discuss how improv comedy relates to mindfulness, creativity, cognitive reframing, authenticity, and more. They share examples of 'Yes, And' in improv, the importance of embracing mistakes and challenging societal expectations, the significance of play and improvisation in various settings, the connection between improv comedy and happiness, and the relationship between comedy, improvisation, and mindfulness.

In this conversation, Kelly Leonard, a creative force behind Second City and co-author of "Yes, And," shares how improvisation can revolutionize business relationships. He discusses the transformative "Yes, And" philosophy to enhance creativity and collaboration. Kelly reveals surprising training methods used by the FBI for agility under pressure and explains how deep listening fosters strong connections. From navigating disagreements to building resilience, his insights on improv unveil unexpected benefits for both individuals and organizations.

Kelly Leonard, Executive Director of Learning and Applied Improvisation at Second City Works, shares insights on the power of improv in various life aspects. Discover how saying 'yes' can unlock creativity and enhance communication. Kelly recounts his journey producing acts with comedy legends and illustrates improv's role in building stronger relationships. He emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of laughter, collaborative skills, and active listening, revealing how these techniques can aid in personal growth and mental health.