Podcast Summary
In this lively and laugh-filled episode, host Tim Borys is joined by Joel Zeff—nationally recognized speaker, improvisational humorist, and author of Make the Right Choice. Joel reveals why fun isn’t a distraction from work—it’s a strategy for performance.
Joel shares how improv and comedy taught him the most important lessons in leadership, communication, and team culture. From boosting employee engagement to managing change with grace, Joel explains how creating space for play and joy at work leads to better innovation, stronger relationships, and long-term success. This episode is a masterclass in leading with energy, humor, and humanity—and why every leader needs to make space for fun.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Fun fuels performance: Energized, happy people do better work. Period.
Improv teaches leadership: Openness, presence, support, and risk-taking are foundational choices in both improv and leadership.
Fun is inclusive: It’s not about jokes—it’s about connection, respect, and shared joy in the work.
Ownership builds passion: People care when they feel responsible. Passion follows ownership.
You can’t control change—but you can control how you respond. Prepare yourself and your team to embrace uncertainty with confidence.
Ask two key questions:
What opportunity do you need to feel fulfilled?
What can I do to help the people around me succeed?
Episode Links & Resources
Connect with Joel here:
Website: www.joelzeff.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelzeff
Facebook: facebook.com/thejoelzeff
YouTube: youtube.com/user/joelzeffcreative
New Book: Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work on Amazon
Podcast Highlights
Please note: This highlight is generated by a computer and may contain errors.
Welcome back to the Working Well Podcast! Today’s guest is someone who brings fun, energy, and a lot of wisdom to the world of leadership—Joel Zeff. He’s a nationally recognized speaker, humorist, and the author of Make the Right Choice. We’re talking about improv, team culture, and why fun is a serious business tool.
On Fun as a Strategy
Fun isn’t just a break or a reward—it’s essential to how people work best. I’ve worked with over 2,500 organizations and the ones that really thrive? They energize people, they celebrate wins, and they give their teams ownership of success.
Improv as a Leadership Tool
I started in comedy and improv, and it was the best leadership training I could have asked for. Improv teaches you to listen, to support others, and to take risks—those are critical skills in any workplace.
The key is positive support. In improv, your job is to make your partner look good. Same thing in leadership: your job is to help the people around you succeed.
Ownership and Opportunity
People feel passion when they have ownership. Give people an opportunity to contribute, and then support them—no micromanaging, no fear. That’s where engagement comes from.
I always say: “People don’t care until they feel responsible.” That’s where the magic happens.
Fun Isn’t Optional—It’s a Leadership Choice
Fun isn’t about jokes or balloons. It’s about energy. It’s about creating an environment where people feel seen, heard, and supported. And you can do that without spending a dime.
Simple things—recognition, team rituals, shared experiences—build the kind of culture people want to stay in.
Responding to Change
Here’s the thing: you don’t control change. It’s going to happen no matter what. What you do control is how you respond to it. And that’s why mindset, energy, and support systems matter so much.
Improv teaches us to say “yes, and”—to acknowledge the moment, build on it, and move forward.
Two Essential Leadership Questions
Every leader should ask themselves two questions:
What opportunity do I need to feel fulfilled at work?
What can I do to help the people around me succeed?
If you’re constantly working from those two questions, you’re leading with intention—and that changes everything.
On Recognition and Culture
People want to be recognized. And not just once a year. Not with a gift card. They want meaningful, genuine recognition. It doesn’t cost money—it costs attention and intention.
Culture is built in the small moments, in how you show up every day as a leader.
Closing Remarks
That was fantastic, Joel. Thank you for bringing the energy, the insights, and yes—the fun! So many takeaways in this one. If you want to learn more about Joel, his book, or catch him on stage, check out the links in the show notes.
Thanks, Tim. Remember: energy is a choice. Support is a choice. And fun? That’s a choice too. So go make the right one.
