Creativity, Leadership & the Power of Play at Work: A Conversation With Carl Walsh

What does British theater have to do with business leadership? More than you'd think.In this episode of the Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts welcomes back award-winning actor, director, and business coach Carl Walsh for a deep dive into creativity, innovation, and the leadership principles that separate great managers from truly inspiring leaders.Carl draws on 20 years in the British theater, 25 years in corporate management, and 15 years as a professional speaker to explore:• Why most adults think they've "lost" their creativity — and how to get it back• How Disney built a culture where no one pointed fingers and everyone solved problems together• The "happy mistake" philosophy that transformed a theater scene into the biggest laugh of the show• Why failure is not inefficiency — and how experimentation drives breakthrough innovation• The critical difference between managing and leading (and why 60% of the workforce has "quietly quit")• How to balance creativity with efficiency without sacrificing either• What AI, improv comedy, and focus groups have in common when it comes to innovation• Why diversity of thought — not groupthink — is a business superpowerWhether you're a small business owner, team leader, or someone looking to reignite your own creative spark, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and memorable stories.Connect with Carl Walsh: [email protected], leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow leader who needs to hear it..Carl's Bio and Contact InformationCarl Walsh is a speaker, consultant, and business coach who blends theatrical expertise with corporate leadership. With 20 years as an award-winning actor and director, 25 years in corporate management—including as an IT Director—and 15 years as a professional speaker, he brings dynamic storytelling and strategic insight to business growth. As the co-host of The Oval Table podcast and co-founder of Alpha Dogs Small Business Coaching, Carl helps small businesses foster creativity, improve communication, and apply lessons from the theater to leadership and innovation. A certified Red Team Thinking coach, he challenges teams to think critically and adapt in a rapidly changing world.Connect with Carl Walsh and learn more about Dogologic:Email: [email protected] connect with Dave: davidrobertsmsw.com