EP 417 | Yes, You Can Lead: How Interior Designers Build Stronger Teams with an Improv Mindset with Shannon Hughes
February 25, 2025
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Leadership in a design business isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions where great ideas, trust, and collaboration can thrive. In this episode, Kimberley Seldon sits down with Shannon Hughes, leadership expert and creator of the Connective Influence Model, to explore how an improv mindset can transform the way interior designers lead their teams.
Shannon shares how principles like adaptability, bold humility, and the simple practice of “yes, and…” help leaders move away from control and toward connection. You’ll learn how creating brave spaces and listening with curiosity builds psychological safety, strengthens team cohesion, and unlocks creativity—without sacrificing authority.
If you want to lead with confidence, stay present under pressure, and build a people-first culture that actually performs, this episode offers practical tools you can start using immediately.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- Why holding brave space creates psychological safety on your team
- How listening to learn fosters curiosity, trust, and collaboration
- Why self-awareness helps you stay present and lead more effectively
- How bold humility strengthens leadership instead of weakening it
- Why recognizing and challenging your patterns leads to growth
- How using “yes, and…” builds on ideas instead of shutting them down
Get your free Practice Guide | Discover how to elevate your leadership and create a firm culture where people and projects flourish. The Connective Influence Model™ provides actionable practices designed to build trust, deepen collaboration, and ignite your team’s potential.
DESIGN INTERVENTION
Always find yourself in spaces with people who are a few steps ahead of you, in their business. These are the folks to learn from and leverage for inspiration. Ask questions, get feedback, try and be okay failing and then take what you’ve gleaned and make it your own. There is only one YOU after all.
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Legal Disclosure | This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be used for any legal decisions. Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Kimberley Seldon Productions Inc., Kimberley Seldon Design and Media, Inc., Business of Design™, or any of its affiliated companies or staff is not responsible for any errors or omissions effecting accuracy in any content, and they will not be held liable for the use or misuse of information, facts, details or any other aspects should there arise any defects, errors, omissions or perhaps inaccuracies. Extensive research has been conducted to put this podcast together for the purpose of educating our industry in order to better serve the public. Care has been taken to acknowledge ownership of copyrighted material. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation. This work is offered with the understanding that we do not render any legal, accounting or other professional advice. Seek the advice of a lawyer and/or other competent professional person in all matters of law. Further, listeners should be aware that internet websites mentioned may change or disappear between when this was recorded and when it was listened to.