Workday Playdate

In this Workday Playdate, Erin brings together innovation experts Rich Braden and Tessa Forshaw to challenge everything you thought you knew about creativity at work. This episode proves that innovation is not reserved for a select few, but something everyone can access through mindset, play, and small, intentional actions. If you’ve ever thought “I’m not the creative type,” this conversation will expand your definition of innovation and give you practical ways to bring more curiosity, experimentation, and whole-brained thinking into your day. About the Guests: Rich Braden is an innovation strategist, educator, and global speaker who helps organizations unlock creativity through human-centered design, play, and experimentation. With experience spanning corporate, startup, and academic environments, Rich is known for making innovation accessible, actionable, and energizing. Tessa Forshaw is a creativity and innovation expert, educator, and consultant focused on helping individuals and teams activate their innate creative capacity. Her work blends research, facilitation, and playful practice to challenge limiting beliefs and build cultures where innovation thrives. Inside This Episode:Innovation Isn’t Exclusive: Why the biggest barrier to creativity is the myth that only certain people (or roles) are “allowed” to innovate.Whole-Brained Thinking Wins: How blending analytical rigor with creative exploration leads to better problem-solving, smarter decisions, and more innovative outcomes.The Play Advantage: Why improvisation, curiosity, and experimentation aren’t “nice to have”—they’re essential tools for unlocking new ideas and embracing failure.Mindset > Talent: How small, intentional mindset shifts can reignite creativity and help you move from “right vs. wrong” to “what’s possible?”Diverge, Then Converge: The airplane metaphor for brainstorming that helps you generate bold ideas and actually land them.Innovation in Action: Practical ways leaders can lower the bar, model experimentation, and create cultures where risk-taking is rewarded (not punished).Small Moves, Big Impact: Why innovation isn’t about big breakthroughs—it’s about consistent, everyday experimentation. What to Do Now:Try “Yes, And” Today: In your next meeting, build on someone’s idea before critiquing it. Watch how quickly energy and creativity shift.Run a 10-Minute Diverge/Converge Sprint: Set a timer. Generate as many ideas as possible (no judgment), then switch modes and narrow to your top 1–2 actions.Lower the Bar for Innovation: Pick one small experiment you can run this week.Model the Behavior You Want: As a leader (or future leader), openly share a risk you took or a failure you learned from to create psychological safety for others. Your Freebie You already have strengths that make you a powerful leader. But chances are, one of them is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. Enter your free resource: The Human Leadership Edge Quiz. In just 10 quick questions, you’ll discover the leadership strength that sets you apart in the age of AI and how to use it more intentionally with your team. Take the Human Leadership Edge Quiz here. And thank you to our sponsors Intuit Quickbooks Payroll. To learn more visit:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/ Connect with Rich Braden and Tessa ForshawRich’s LinkedInTessa’s LinkedInRich and Tessa’s book, innovation-ish Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Leadership Playground online membership communityErin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Workday Playdate, Erin flips the script on productivity culture and makes the case that your energy at work matters more than your to-do list. This episode is a wake-up call for high performers who’ve been measuring success in checkboxes instead of presence, connection, and impact. If you’ve been optimizing your calendar but still feeling off, this conversation will challenge how you define a “good day,” and give you a practical way to shift it. Inside This Episode:Energy > Activity: Why your internal state is the real driver of performance, influence, and outcomes.Your Energy Is Contagious: How your mood, presence, and mindset shape team dynamics, client relationships, and workplace culture (whether you realize it or not).Science of Better Thinking: What research says about positive emotional states and their impact on innovation and decision-making.The 5-Step Energy Shift Framework: A simple, repeatable process to reset your energy and lead your day with intention.Lead With One Word: How choosing a daily intention anchors your mindset and guides your actions.Measure What Matters: Why ending your day by reflecting on your energy—not your output—leads to more fulfillment and long-term success.Presence As a Power Skill: Especially early in your career, curiosity, intention, and how you show up matter more than having all the answers. Who This Episode Is For:High achievers tired of living by their to-do listsLeaders who want more impact without more burnoutHR and people leaders rethinking performance and engagementEarly-career professionals who want to stand out (without burning out)Teams craving more connection, creativity, and motivationAnyone ready to feel better and perform better at work Your Freebie You already have strengths that make you a powerful leader. But chances are, one of them is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. Enter your free resource: The Human Leadership Edge Quiz. In just 10 quick questions, you’ll discover the leadership strength that sets you apart in the age of AI and how to use it more intentionally with your team. Take the Human Leadership Edge Quiz here. And thank you to our sponsors Intuit Quickbooks Payroll. To learn more visit:  https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/ Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Leadership Playground online membership communityErin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with Jane Chen to challenge the “always-on” mindset and invite overachievers into something radically different: pause, process, and thrive. Jane is a best-selling author, leadership coach, and social entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Embrace Global. If you’ve been sprinting toward success at the cost of your well-being, this episode is your reminder that slowing down is exactly how you move forward with intention. Inside This Episode:Pause Before You Push: Why high achievers need to interrupt the cycle of constant doing to reconnect with themselves and avoid burnout.The Hidden Cost of Achievement: How chasing impact, success, and validation can quietly deplete your energy, identity, and joy.From Impact to Inner Work: Jane’s journey from building a global health company to finding healing through surfing, stillness, and self-reflection.Compassion Over Grit: Why resilience isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about practicing self-compassion and emotional awareness.Healing Is a Strategy: Exploring powerful modalities like internal family systems (IFS), therapy, and slowing down as tools for sustainable leadership.Letting Go of External Validation: Why chasing approval is a losing game—and how anchoring in your values creates lasting fulfillment.Ride the Wave: The ocean as a metaphor for life, timing, surrender, and trusting what you can’t control.Vulnerability = Strength: How embracing imperfection, fear, and faith can unlock confidence in leadership and public speaking.From Burnout to Breakthrough: Why moments of crisis or failure might actually be invitations to realign with your purpose.Joy Is Not Optional: How play, nature, and small daily moments of joy are essential for thriving at work and in life. Who This Episode Is For:Overachievers who are tired of running on emptyLeaders ready to trade burnout for sustainable successHR and people leaders focused on well-being and human-centered performanceHigh-performing parents and professionals seeking balance without guiltAnyone navigating burnout, identity shifts, or a season of rebuildingHumans who want to achieve and feel whole while doing it Your Freebie You already have strengths that make you a powerful leader. But chances are, one of them is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. Enter your free resource: The Human Leadership Edge Quiz. In just 10 quick questions, you’ll discover the leadership strength that sets you apart in the age of AI and how to use it more intentionally with your team. Take the Human Leadership Edge Quiz here. And thank you to our sponsors Intuit Quickbooks Payroll. To learn more visit:   https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/ Connect with Jane ChenJane’s LinkedInJane’s websiteJane’s book, Like a Wave We Break: A Memoir of Falling Apart and Finding Myself  Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Leadership Playground online membership communityErin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Workday Playdate, Erin flips the script on hustle culture with a bold reminder: it’s not that serious. If you’ve been stuck in overthinking, overworking, or over-perfecting, this episode is your permission slip to loosen your grip and lead with more play. Inside This Episode:Play is Strategic: Why true play fuels creativity, innovation, and better problem-solving at work.The Cost of Taking Work Too Seriously: How rigidity kills connection, limits ideas, and keeps teams stuck.Loosen Up to Level Up: Practical ways to bring more lightness, curiosity, and flexibility into your leadership style.Celebrate the Ridiculous: How “bad” or wild ideas often lead to breakthrough innovation.From Perfection to Experimentation: Letting go of fear and embracing messy, imperfect starts.The Daily Fun Check: One simple question—“Did I have fun today?”—that can transform your energy and performance.5 Ways to Play More (Starting Today): Notice, say yes, lower the stakes, invite others, celebrate ridiculousness. Who This Episode Is For:Leaders who want to boost creativity, engagement, and innovationHR and people leaders focused on human-centered workplacesHigh achievers ready to ditch perfectionism and unlock more joyTeams craving stronger connection and collaborationAnyone feeling stuck, burned out, or taking work way too seriouslyHumans who want to work better by playing more Your Playdate Practice Schedule 10 minutes of intentional play and watch what shifts in your mindset, creativity, and connection. Your Freebie You already have strengths that make you a powerful leader. But chances are, one of them is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. Enter your free resource: The Human Leadership Edge Quiz. In just 10 quick questions, you’ll discover the leadership strength that sets you apart in the age of AI and how to use it more intentionally with your team. Take the Human Leadership Edge Quiz here. And thank you to our sponsors Intuit Quickbooks Payroll. To learn more visit:   https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/ Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Leadership Playground online membership communityErin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Workday Playdate, Erin sits down with AI expert and trainer John Rood to tackle how to actually implement AI at work without breaking trust, compliance, or culture. If you’ve been overwhelmed by AI hype or unsure where to start, this episode gives you a clear, actionable path forward. Inside This Episode:AI at Work, the Reality Check: What organizations are actually doing with AI today and where most are getting it wrong.HR as AI Gatekeeper: How HR can lead the charge in building smart, scalable AI policies that fit your organization.Adopt Too Fast or Too Slow: The hidden risks on both ends of AI adoption and how to find the sweet spot.AI Literacy for Everyone: Why AI skills aren’t optional anymore and how to train teams from beginner to advanced.From Prompts to Productivity: How structured prompting unlocks real business value even for non-technical teams.Everyday AI Use Cases: From building PowerPoints to automating onboarding and internal research – what AI can actually offer you.Culture > Tools: Why experimentation, collaboration, and psychological safety determine whether AI succeeds or fails.The 3 AI Archetypes: How to engage early adopters, skeptics, and everyone in between.Red Flags to Watch: Shadow AI, data security risks, and governance gaps that can derail your strategy fast.Your First Steps: How to assess current AI usage, gather insights, and build a baseline policy that actually works. Who This Episode Is For:HR leaders navigating AI policy, compliance, and cultureSmall business owners ready to implement AI without the chaosPeople leaders balancing innovation with responsibilityTeams looking to boost productivity with practical AI useOrganizations that want to adopt AI without losing trustHumans who know AI is here and want to use it wisely Your Freebie You already have strengths that make you a powerful leader. But chances are, one of them is doing more heavy lifting than you realize. Enter your free resource: The Human Leadership Edge Quiz. In just 10 quick questions, you’ll discover the leadership strength that sets you apart in the age of AI and how to use it more intentionally with your team. Take the Human Leadership Edge Quiz here. Connect with John RoodJohn’s LinkedInJohn’s website Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!Leadership Playground online membership communityErin’s websiteErin’s InstagramErin’s TikTokErin’s LinkedInimprove it!’s websiteimprove it!’s Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.