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Using IMPROV to IMPROVE your Communication

The Chicken Hat Whenever you hear the word “IMPROV”… Whoever is holding the chicken hat will pass it to the person on their right The last person to end up with the chicken hat will win a prize and the title “IMPROV CHICKEN CHAMPION” The chicken hat is a reminder of two things: Improv (much like your job) requires you to focus on multiple things at once Put your fears away – play, learn and have fun!

Today’s Agenda Who are we!? What is improv? Use improv to… Effectively Communicate Key Takeaways

OUR MISSION: To provide high-energy, laughter-filled team building workshops that incorporate improvisation teams & techniques, as well as improvised performances at corporate events, while donating a portion of our proceeds to charity.

Funny Bones Improv Funny Bones Improv is a registered 501c3 charitable organization whose mission is to share the gifts and benefits of laughter with sick children, their families, and their caregivers, in multiple hospitals across Chicago and New Orleans through volunteer comedy improvisation performances. Our contributions help bring more children, families and individuals laughter and joy at times when they need it most.

What is improv? Today, you will find out what improv really is! Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in the response to the stimulus of one’s immediate environment and inner feelings. What is improv? Thanks Wikipedia! Today, you will find out what improv really is!

Time to Shake it Out! How did that feel? How will this help you at work (when I’m drained at work and need energy) What did you think about the others taking part in this activity? Can you see yourself using this when others are around? Did anything surprise you about this? Take time to reflect in your improve it! workbook

WHAT YOU SAY & WHAT YOU DON’T SAY… AFFECTS HOW OTHER’S LISTEN RESPOND

WHAT YOU SAY WORD AT A TIME STORY LAST LETTER WORDS BUNNY, BUNNY Notice behaviors on how people play How did you feel? How does this game relate to showing up for your team? (It only takes one committed person to elevate the entire game. Once one person or two people step up the team is transformed). Does this teach you to go outside of your comfort zone and realize your team is there to support you? HOT SPOT: Teaches you to show up and expect nothing in return. “Take out the usual what’s in it for me, and replace with “what can I do for you?” It may be the most effective way in sustaining relationships with your team. Show up and expect nothing in return. Try this for one week. (Difficult relationship, experience breakthrough, etc). Take full responsibility and honor your commitment to your team, show up and don’t have any expectations. Was it harder to think about this activitiy rather than just doing it? What is the consequence of thinking about something in a negative way? What are the benefits of participating? What would the effect be if one person didn’t go? How was it to commit? Take a moment to write about this in your improve it! workbook

WHAT YOU DON’T SAY TOWER Yes And: “No” is typically a first response if someone doesn’t like or agree with what your saying. “Yes But” is when people are going to give you one reason why they don’t like the information or why the idea won’t work and again communication breaks down. No stops communication in it’s tracks “Yes But” equals no “Yes And” moves the conversation forward in a positive and collaborative way Q/A What was the effect of the “no” response? Was there a difference when the response changed to “yes but?” What about “yes, and?” Does “yes, and” mean you agree with everything? What are some situations you could benefit from “Yes, And?” How did your energy and body language change between rounds? What are other ways of verbally and nonverbally saying “yes and?” Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts in your improve it! workbook YES, YES, YES: Brainstorm about a crazy idea (when it’s your turn run to center and say your idea) Audience shouts yes! Q/A: How did you feel at the beginning of the exercise? How did you feel towards the middle? Does this sound like an employee you like to have? (When you feel like you can contribute in a Yes Space, you can be a part of the solution and be a leader) How many times in your professional career have you felt as supported? Write about this in your improve it! workbook

AFFECTS HOW OTHER’S LISTEN LAST WORD RESPONSE Yes And: “No” is typically a first response if someone doesn’t like or agree with what your saying. “Yes But” is when people are going to give you one reason why they don’t like the information or why the idea won’t work and again communication breaks down. No stops communication in it’s tracks “Yes But” equals no “Yes And” moves the conversation forward in a positive and collaborative way Q/A What was the effect of the “no” response? Was there a difference when the response changed to “yes but?” What about “yes, and?” Does “yes, and” mean you agree with everything? What are some situations you could benefit from “Yes, And?” How did your energy and body language change between rounds? What are other ways of verbally and nonverbally saying “yes and?” Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts in your improve it! workbook YES, YES, YES: Brainstorm about a crazy idea (when it’s your turn run to center and say your idea) Audience shouts yes! Q/A: How did you feel at the beginning of the exercise? How did you feel towards the middle? Does this sound like an employee you like to have? (When you feel like you can contribute in a Yes Space, you can be a part of the solution and be a leader) How many times in your professional career have you felt as supported? Write about this in your improve it! workbook

AND RESPOND YES, AND THE PLACE OF YES Acceptance is being willing to treat someone as a member of a group or allow someone to join ADD MORE NOTES How did you feel when you listened to the instructions? What did you do if you had a great idea and someone was already doing it? How did you adjust to other people’s ideas? How does this exercise relate to your customers / clients? How does it relate to your teammates and peers? Write about it in your improve it! workbook NOTES HERE ABOUT COLLABORATION Q/A: How did it feel to work together on a process? What energy did you create? How will you create this at work? Did a leader emerge in this process? Was everyone’s voice heard? How did you make sure? Write about it in your improve it! workbooks

Key Takeaways Use our improv techniques to improve yourself by paying attention to the words you say and HOW you say them Use our improv techniques to improve yourself by using non verbal techniques such as eye contact, body language and facial expressions to move a project forward Use our improv techniques to improve yourself by listening to understand, not to respond Use our improv techniques to improve yourself by responding in a way that acknowledges and authenticates other’s thoughts and ideas

The Improv Chicken Champion is…

Check us out @ www.improveitchicago.com

CIRCLE OF YES

THANK YOU!!