Business Growth Spotlight

Ep.43 Leading with Improv: Agility, Communication, and Human Connection with Bob Kulhan

Heidi Schalk Episode 43

In this episode, Heidi sits down with Bob Kulhan to explore how the principles of improvisation can transform the way we lead and communicate in business. They dive into the power of agility, collaboration, and clear communication, and how these skills can strengthen both personal and professional development. Bob shares how Business Improv helps teams become more adaptable, enhances emotional intelligence, and creates stronger human connections — especially important in an increasingly AI-driven world.

They discuss the common communication traps leaders fall into and how shifting from a “buy-in” mindset to a “build-in” approach can improve alignment and innovation. The conversation also touches on team dynamics, behavioral science, and the real-life challenges and opportunities in the business improv space. Bob offers thoughtful insights into effective marketing, lessons learned from past experiences, and what’s next for the future of Business Improv.


Bio*

•Bob Kulhan is a professor at the Duke University Fuqua School of Business and an elite improv and sketch comedian.

•Bob is the Founder & CEO of Business Improv® – a 25-yr-old consultancy linking improvisation to business through behavioral sciences. His focus: People Skills. Human Connection.

•His clients include a who’s who of businesses (from pharma to manufacturing to aerospace), universities, organizations, and government institutions.  He has also worked extensively with entrepreneurs and solopreneurs, as well as small and medium size businesses.

•He is the best-selling author of GETTING TO YES AND: The Art of Business Improv (Stanford University Press). 

•The first 100% virtual program Bob led was in January 2017, and for the last 6 years Bob has pioneered experiential learning in the virtual space, leading dynamic, energizing, Virtual (synchronous), Online (asynchronous), Blended (both) and Hybrid (multi-location) solutions.

•Kulhan also created the dynamic online (asynchronous) program, Improvisational Communication in 2019, for those who want to study Business Improv in the comfort of their own homes, at their own pace.



To connect with our guest, click on the links below:


Websitehttps://businessimprov.com/

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-kulhan-0226a01/

LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/business-improvisations/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/business_improv/

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/BusinessImprov/

Connect with me:

Spotlight to Scale: Spotlight to Scale Blueprint

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidischalkcoaching/