NyQuil, Shakespeare, and Other Unexpected Leadership Lessons
Dec 17, 2025
A message from Erin...
As we round out the year at Game On, we always have a goals meeting where we connect to review the year, celebrate wins and evaluate challenges, and set the course for the year ahead.
In reflecting on 2025, I was able to quickly identify my highs and lows, and, incidentally, they were on the same trip. After an unfortunate professional meeting - another blog for another day, but for now...too soon - our team went to take in the Improvised Shakespeare Company in a small theater in the heart of the city.
To back up and set the stage...
Two days prior to our trip, our colleague Chris Friday let us know that the Improvised Shakespeare Company was going to be performing in the city where Steve, Jake, and I were traveling. We were told - in no uncertain terms - that we would experience a "good old-fashioned shunning" if we didn't go. With a threat like that, you buy tickets and ask no questions. So that's what we did.
Upon entering the quirky theater housed in a converted church, it was immediately evident that this was going to be a unique assembly of people from all walks of life, positioned to enjoy a night of, frankly, the unexpected. The topic is selected in real time, and a full 90-minute Shakespearian production unfolds, with twists, turns, romance, murder, and, in our case, themes of why NyQuil tastes so good (does it though?).
And what happened on the stage was nothing short of pure comedic genius. From the language to the story to the use of physical humor - the entire thing had me in awe of the talent I was taking in. I also found myself in full-blown tears of laughter. And in a room of different backgrounds, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, and worldviews - there was laughter. Joy. Fun. Connection. And true appreciation for the talent in front of us.
In addition to the pure entertainment value, I was able to take away some important applications after feeling the crush of a professional defeat:
1. There’s freedom in structure.
Shakespeare’s language, format, and conventions are anything but loose - yet those constraints are exactly what gave the performers room to play. The rules didn’t limit creativity; they unlocked it. Watching that unfold was a powerful reminder that when expectations, roles, and frameworks are clear, people are free to take risks, adapt, and perform at their best. Whether on a stage, in a meeting, or on a team, structure creates safety - and safety creates possibility.
2. Welcome laughter.
Some of my favorite moments from the production were when the actors broke and welcomed laughter, with each other, to the stage. The setting/topic was absurd, and that break in character made them relatable, human, and imperfectly perfect. In moments of disappointment or self-doubt, it’s tempting to clamp down and get serious. That night reminded me that laughter is not a distraction from growth - it’s often a doorway to it. Humor can reset energy, restore perspective, and remind us why we do the work in the first place.
3. Own your craft.
Those performers walked onto the stage with confidence in their training and trust in one another. They weren’t perfect, but they were fully committed. There was no apologizing - just ownership. After a tough professional moment, that was the reminder I needed: you don’t wait for ideal conditions to show up as yourself. You show up, trust your preparation, and do the work.
As we look ahead to a new year at Game On, that night in a converted church has stayed with me. That night reframed a low moment, reinforced why our work matters, and reminded me that growth often comes when we least expect it - sometimes after a rough meeting, sometimes over NyQuil jokes in iambic pentameter.
Here’s to a year ahead with clear structure, plenty of laughter, and the courage to fully own our craft.
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