Do you wait for the perfect moment to speak up, only to have the conversation move on without you?
What if the secret to becoming a confident, impactful communicator wasn’t planning every word, but learning to improvise?
This week’s guest reveals how improvisation isn’t just for the stage, but a powerful, everyday skill that can transform how you connect, influence, and lead.
Today’s guest is Jeff Mondoro. Jeff is an improviser, learning designer, executive coach, and a dad. He started his career in finance but discovered the world of improv in his mid-twenties and never looked back.
In this episode, Jeff explains why improv isn’t about being funny, but it’s about building on others’ ideas, listening deeply, and embracing uncertainty.
You’ll learn how micro-experiments in your meetings can create more space for collaboration, and how clarifying language early prevents misalignment.
Plus, in the extended episode available to Podcast+ members, Jeff and I discuss why adopting a growth mindset is essential for success, how to encourage team members to share unpolished ideas, and why humor works best when it’s co-created.
Join the conversation now!
Conversation Topics
- (00:00) Introduction
- (01:56) What improv really is and isn’t?
- (07:42) Applying improv to meetings
- (14:09) From shaking with nerves to speaking with ease
- (17:00) Simple practices to build your improv skills
- (24:07) How to help your team become better listeners
- (26:31) A great manager Jeff has worked for
- (28:00) Keep up with Jeff
- (29:06) [Extended Episode Only] The surprising link between growth mindset and improv
- (35:54) [Extended Episode Only] How to bring humor to the workplace without offending anyone
Additional Resources:
- Read the full transcript
here
- Follow me on Instagram
here
- Visit my website for more
here
- Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
here
- Check out Jeff’s book recommendation Improvisation for the Theater
here
Keep up with Jeff Mondoro
- Visit Riff Consulting for more information
here
Free 1-hour Workshop: Intro to Improv with Riff Consulting
In this one-hour class, we'll explore some of the fundamental tenets of improvisation: presence, active listening with 'yes, and', and the ability to quickly pivot and build with your scene partners. The virtual course will be highly experiential and involve a series of paired and small-group exercises. We'll also debrief and discuss how you might apply each principle in your work as a manager.
The workshop will be held on Thursday, September 25th at 11am Eastern (8am Pacific, 4pm British time)
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The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.
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What is The Modern Manager?
Practical management skills you can use this week. Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart helps managers close the gap between knowing what good management looks like and actually doing it.
Each week brings either a short solo lesson with one tool you can use right away, or a conversation with an expert on topics like feedback, difficult conversations, delegation, meetings, strategic thinking, team culture, collaboration and using AI at work.
Get new episodes and one-page takeaways by email: https://www.themodernmanager.com