When companies run into trouble, the C-suite often defaults to secrecy, sharing updates on a need-to-know basis. But when that happens, people make stuff up to fill the information vacuum—and it’s never good. While I’m never glad to see layoffs, Jack Dorsey’s email to Block, the fintech firm
Every once in a while, we hold what we call “Pop Up” improv shows. These are 45-minute free shows in the basement of a local bar (Valhalla at 7:30 on April 24, 2025, for those of you who live in Basel). We practice new material in these shows
In the working world, most successful ventures are group projects. No car is manufactured by a single person, no airplane is built and flown by one person, and no surgery is performed by a single scalpel-wielding doctor (contrary to what you may see on TV dramas). It’s all group work.
Last summer, my 16-year-old son entered into a Swiss program designed to help him find a career. It allowed him to spend one week in school, the next week doing a mini internship (Schnupperwoche), and then lather, rinse, repeat. I’m pleased to announce he’s decided on a career
Unilever fired Ben & Jerry CEO David Stever. Violent activists are attacking Tesla and Tesla owners, causing extensive damage and resulting in arrests. What on earth do these two things have in common? Political activism in the corner office. Ben & Jerry’s has always been open about its social and political activism,
Gen-Z is an utter failure when it comes to job hunting. That’s what headlines like “1 in 6 Hiring Managers Report Gen-Z Candidates Using Their Phones Mid-Interview” and “Who’s sitting in on that Gen-Z job interview? It’s mom and dad” want you to believe. It’s a bunch of rubbish. Okay,
My improv team was supposed to have a popup show next week. Through the blessings of fate, I learned that the same venue had booked a friend’s stand-up show simultaneously. Oops. Now, I have two options: Pitch an absolute fit! Blow up relationships with everyone and demand that
The job posting had a clear salary range listed: $104,000 to $194,000. That’s a ridiculously wide range, but my friend Tiffany (name changed for privacy) met all the requirements and needed a new job. Tiffany’s previous company laid her off as part of a large-scale reduction in force—about 3,000 people lost
What does Employee Appreciation Day have to do with Improv-ing Your HR? Well, everything! Because improv is all about service! Service is about making employees’ lives easier. And if you want to make your life easier, join Neelie Verlinden and HRLearns for a training session on reducing burnout.
I talk about improv incessently. I teach and perform improv as often as I can. (My beginners class has their showcase tomorrow, so if you’re in the Basel area and want to check it out, message me. They are going to be SO GOOD.) But today! Today, I’m
