Karen Hough
CSP
OH, USKaren Hough, Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, creates live and virtual keynote and workshop experiences using improvisation principles to teach business skills. She is a Certified Speaking Professional and an international keynote speaker on topics such as leadership, negotiation, women's issues, change and innovation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and executive presence.
Karen is a graduate of Yale University and former professional actor and improviser with Chicago's Second City. While working in New York City as an actor, Karen was recruited to work for a tech start-up and ended up expanding the sales and management efforts of three separate technology start-ups, one of which went public and one was acquired. With no tech background, Karen attributed her rapid success in the corporate world to her improv skills and began researching the connection between her two worlds.
The Wharton School of Business agreed to let Karen test the idea of using improv as a behavioral learning tool in 1998 and ImprovEdge became the first training company in the world to integrate improv, back it up with research in neuroscience and psychology, and trademark the principles. She bought out her partners and incorporated in 2005 and is now in the top 1% of women-owned businesses in the US, and serve companies such as NBCUniversal, JPMorganChase, AstraZeneca, and Coach, both in the US and internationally.
Karen's first book, "The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work" published by Berrett-Koehler, was a #1 Amazon Bestselling author in category and 800CEORead Top 25 Business Books. Her second book, "Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes and Win Them Over" published by BK in 2014 won the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award. Karen's third book, "Go With it: Embrace the Unexpected to Drive Change," on using improvisation to drive innovation was published in 2017 by the Association for Talent Development. She is the creator/author of the Yes! Deck, and author of numerous articles ATD's magazine, Mashable.com, BusinessInsider.com and more.
With Karen at the helm, ImprovEdge won one of the Grand Prizes in the WBENCPitch Pivot program in 2020, the silver International Stevie Award for Most Innovative Company of the Year 2012, and Karen was recognized in 2016 as an Inspiring Woman by the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Karen is the recipient of the Athena PowerLink Award for outstanding woman-owned business and was named a Semi-Finalist in TechColumbus' Innovation Awards 2011 for Outstanding Service.
Karen Hough, Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, creates live and virtual keynote and workshop experiences using improvisation principles to teach business skills. She is a Certified Speaking Professional and an international keynote speaker on topics such as leadership, negotiation, women's issues, change and innovation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and executive presence.
Karen is a graduate of Yale University and former professional actor and improviser with Chicago's Second City. While working in New York City as an actor, Karen was recruited to work for a tech start-up and ended up expanding the sales and management efforts of three separate technology start-ups, one of which went public and one was acquired. With no tech background, Karen attributed her rapid success in the corporate world to her improv skills and began researching the connection between her two worlds.
The Wharton School of Business agreed to let Karen test the idea of using improv as a behavioral learning tool in 1998 and ImprovEdge became the first training company in the world to integrate improv, back it up with research in neuroscience and psychology, and trademark the principles. She bought out her partners and incorporated in 2005 and is now in the top 1% of women-owned businesses in the US, and serve companies such as NBCUniversal, JPMorganChase, AstraZeneca, and Coach, both in the US and internationally.
Karen's first book, "The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work" published by Berrett-Koehler, was a #1 Amazon Bestselling author in category and 800CEORead Top 25 Business Books. Her second book, "Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever: Break the Rules, Make Mistakes and Win Them Over" published by BK in 2014 won the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award. Karen's third book, "Go With it: Embrace the Unexpected to Drive Change," on using improvisation to drive innovation was published in 2017 by the Association for Talent Development. She is the creator/author of the Yes! Deck, and author of numerous articles ATD's magazine, Mashable.com, BusinessInsider.com and more.
With Karen at the helm, ImprovEdge won one of the Grand Prizes in the WBENCPitch Pivot program in 2020, the silver International Stevie Award for Most Innovative Company of the Year 2012, and Karen was recognized in 2016 as an Inspiring Woman by the WNBA's Indiana Fever. Karen is the recipient of the Athena PowerLink Award for outstanding woman-owned business and was named a Semi-Finalist in TechColumbus' Innovation Awards 2011 for Outstanding Service.
Be the Best Presenter Ever: A 10-step system to skillful, passionate, persuasive presentations
Executive Presence What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Authentically Show Up
A person with strong executive presence is known to be "leadership material." They exude a variety of qualities and skills that instill confidence regarding their ability to lead. They are the people who rise to the top quickly and are selected for special projects and promotions.
Executive presence can be improved through intentional focus. There are a variety of skills that you can practice and grow. Knowing what to do to increase your executive presence is critical for managing...
Managing Tough Conversations
This simple three-step system provides a proven framework for managing the most difficult, and often most important, conversations. This system guides conversations, leading to decisions and actions for positive change.
We will cover:
- 3 steps that bring people with differing viewpoints together to create a plan of...
Change Management Go With It, Embrace the Unexpected to Drive Change
The Cycle of Change, which is based on four foundational improv techniques, will radically and immediately improve collaboration and your team's ability to manage changes. Improvisors think on their feet and manage extremely well in risky situations. The techniques that improvisors use to think on their feet and manage the unexpected are the same skills that create incredible resilience and build trust in the workplace, especially during a time of change. Your people learn not only how to...
Team Transformation High Performance Teams: Discover and Power Up the Best in Your Team and Succeed
This is a 4-step system to managing and building collaborative, effective teams. We focus on individual strengths, business collaboration techniques, and the art of teamwork - all critical skills in providing excellent outcomes.
Elevate collaboration for high-performing teams, struggling teams, and team that are a mix of capabilities and generations. Even virtual teams can come together in real time to collaborate and improvise.
We will cover:
- The top behavior of...
Negotiation Collaboration and Improv Skills That Close Sales, Resolve Conflict & Result in a Win/Win
There's a misconception that the best negotiators are unyielding tough nuts who yell and pound their fists. Actually, great negotiators don't shout, pressure, or demand. They prepare, ask the right questions, and seek a win/win. This training will help you negotiate your next multi-million-dollar contract and even help you get your 4-year old to be on time!
We will cover:
- Managing the situation - gaining trust, setting expectations, and identifying...
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