KEEPING IT HUMAN, INC.

Are laughter and leadership the secret sauce to thriving in the AI age? 🤔 In the latest episode of Thrive LouD with Lou Diamond, returning guest and “Keep It Human” expert Kathy Klotz-Guest joins Lou to tackle some BIG questions: How can leaders inject humor, resilience, and genuine connection into their teams—especially with AI changing the rules of the game daily? From improv in the time of COVID (“the Olympics for improv!”) to navigating today’s rapid workplace changes, Kathy shares how lightheartedness isn’t just a ‘nice to have’—it’s a culture signal. If laughter is missing from your organization, is your best talent headed for the door? Tune in for: ✨ Why a playful mindset is the antidote to uncertainty ✨ Mixing the best of human creativity with the efficiency of AI (spoiler: robots are NOT funny…yet) ✨ Real talk on what’s changed in hybrid, human-centered work—and how to rebuild trust ✨ A fresh dose of “Seriously Funny” for leaders who want to inspire, not just manage Ready to rediscover the power of humor at work (and maybe laugh about how AI still can’t tell a good joke)? Listen now and let’s keep it human! #leadership #humor #culture #AI #ThriveLoud #KeepItHuman

I am grateful for the production team At Madecraft who always made me look, sound and feel my best… So my courses can help you be your best, too. From the producers to the makeup people and on-site video folks, they are wonderful. My 2 courses are available here as part of LinkedIn Learning Woot woot! 1. Leading in the Moment through Improv: how to use improv thinking and concepts to adapt, create, embrace failure and be confident you can lead in any moment. 2. Humor for Leaders: Building Connection and Trust in Teams. This course is about unlocking your playfulness and imperfection. And you don’t have to be the funniest person - just the realest human version of you. Happy weekend! #linkedin #linkedinlearninginstructor #madecraft #author #courses

‘Kathy, our execs don’t do playful approaches. They won’t engage. So how do you get them to do activities when you work with a group?’ When I work with a team facilitating creativity or connection using improv approaches, I do these things with execs in the room.. 👍they must be in the room. YOU,leaders, are right there with your team, not above the work 👍 participation in activities is optional 👍 keep activities focused 👍 give the why / context briefly / debrief succinctly (left-brained folks often need that to feel like they are working toward a goal they GET) 👍 keep people engaged (wind down earlier rather than later) 👍 get to the meat 👍 follow body language and energy- they will tell you when done 👍keep it moving, safe 👍acknowledge skepticism in the room, don’t give it a stage and let it take over 👍 be prepared for arms crossed stances (it’s ‘serious’ face) 👍 summarize learning - participants tell you - and how they will apply it The way to get execs on board is to do your thing - no woo woo. Clear applications to work. I promise when teams are learning, laughing and connecting, I often see execs lighten up, and sometimes jump in. Because fun is contagious. And they know it’s working! It can be an act of vulnerability for execs to show that side. Give them space with their teams, make it safe, keep things tight and light until trust is built, and you’ll see even execs drop some masks. Don’t spend time on excess windups or wind downs. Even if they just observe, when people are learning, you’ll see SERIOUS face lighten up. The more trust in the room, the more they relax. Laughter and engagement is a powerful agent. follow that. It tells us people are engaged and building safety with each other. Below: storytelling facilitation with VC execs in Silicon Valley building narratives with clients I love working with teams to create change. Need an interactive keynote? Team training and facilitation? An exec offsite? I got you. Reach out. What would you add? #creativity #facilitation #training #keynotes #highperformingteams

"Hey Goldilocks, I'd like some coffee," he said to me at the start of a meeting. Yup, being a woman who *was* in tech for almost 16 years while doing comedy at night has a lot of stories! Good, bad, ugly and all of it. And humor can be your super power. HOLD THIS THOUGHT.... I was about 5 years out of business school and running a small team in tech at this time. And this co-worker was a man about twice my age. And 'honey,' and 'Goldilocks' - because of my hair - weren't the first time that had been said to me. By this man and a few others. I already knew HR was a waste of my time. So I used my comedy voice. I'd been doing comedy right out of college 5-6 nights a week, even while getting my MBA. It was where I found courage and my heart. Fast forward to today, I help people be bolder by using comedy principles when I am not on comedy stages. BACK TO THE STORY... I didn't work for him. Because I was the ONLY woman in the room, he addressed me this way. So, I looked right at him and said, "So would I. So if you're headed back to the kitchen, would you grab me a cup? Oh and a few here for the 3 bears (pointing to the men in the room). Thank you." A few of the men laughed. I didn't get that cup of coffee. I got respect. And I was invited by the men to more meetings. AND that guy never called me 'Goldilocks' in a meeting ever again. Kill them with kindness... and humor. Sometimes the best we can do is use our natural humor and presence to make the biggest impact. Humor does not mean you have to laugh at indignities. It does mean using your voice to set boundaries and claim your power. THE POINT: humor and improv aren't about 'comebacks.' What they do is help us stand confidently in our voice so we can speak boldly. Own your voice, own your story. And yes, I have programs to help Q: Can you relate? How did you handle your situation? #womenintech #funnywomen #comedian #humor #womenexecutives

The Story Odd Couple?! I tell stories on stages...speaking, business (I came from storytelling and comms in tech marketing and leadership), and comedy (stage stories!) David comes from storytelling in advertising, leadership and more... Together we're gonna active our STORY WONDER TWIN POWER and bust some myths. 'Cuz....busting makes us feel good...!!! And let's laugh because laughter speeds up learning. Join us Friday at 8:30 AM PST right here. #storytelling #leadership #laughter #linkedinaudio