1/07/2008
What role does improvisation play in business?
| Milo Shapiro of IMPROVentures works with staff in companies using improvisation as a teaching tool for teamwork and communication, both inside the office and in dealing with clientele. Get It In Writing's Allison Nazarian recently interviewed Milo on the benefits of improv in the workplace (and yes, there is a significant connection between improv and your business!). Q. Milo, why would non-actors, in the business world, want to play with improvisation? Milo: Let’s be clear here that we’re not talking about stand-up comedy. Improvisation is the art and skill of being able to think on your feet and create without a script, like on the TV show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Now I know a lot of people watch that show and think, “Oh, I could never be THAT creative!” But you don’t have to be. You’re improvising all the time. Every time you pick up the phone and have to react to a call you didn’t expect, you’re improvising. Every time a client says, “What else could we do?” you’re playing off your instincts. But how many of us ever had training to develop the skill behind the skill? Q: What is it about improvisation that develops those skills? Milo: Improvisation, when done well, is about listening skills, building on what others say, adding a little information yourself, allowing the other person to contribute as much as you do, and achieving an outcome that both people made a success. To me, that sounds a lot like the same skills that accomplish good teamwork on the job or a successful relationship with a client. Q: How does a facilitator help in this process? Milo: I've been asked at times why I haven’t written a book or designed exercises you can do yourself. The reason is that much of the benefit in doing improv work with business teams is in my eye. For example, I can interrupt an exercise and say, “Whoa, that was funny, Dave, but did it really build on the idea that Delores just said or was it a totally new idea? Okay, then, let’s go back a step and it’s still your turn, but this time add something that’s totally Dave but still builds on her idea.” This is what we call “Yes, And” logic in improv and for some people it’s a pretty powerful eye-opener if there’s someone there to show them when it’s happening. Q: Can anyone develop these skills by just taking an improv class? Milo: Yes and no. Yes, almost everyone will improve their communication skills and creativity over time if they take ongoing improv classes, but for a person or office to see more immediate results, it’s best to bring in someone who has a definite intention to relate how this all fits in with office dynamics rather than just being about the fun. In that setting, a lot can be accomplished in even just a day together. And it sure is a lot of fun and that’s why it works as a team-building event. We really don’t create many dynamics to laugh together at the office and that’s really a shame. We learn so much through play and fun and it bonds us like nothing else. Q: What’s one thing I could do to stretch my mind in an improv way without anyone else even knowing I'm doing it? Milo: Here’s one that you can do in the car alone! Think of a song that you know the tune to quite well; the words aren’t important…just the tune. Then think of a random topic. Peaches, airplanes, Monday mornings…whatever! Then try to make up words to the original tune about this topic. Go as slowly as you need to. If you rhyme in the right places, that’s just bonus points, but don’t sweat that. Just see how long you can sing about peaches to the tune of “Singin’ In The Rain”. You may not be able to do two lines at first, but you’ll be surprised how soon you’ll get through a verse or two. And when you can’t, no one knows but you. You may even make yourself laugh in traffic! Motivational speaker Milo Shapiro is the CEO (Creative Energy Officer) of IMPROVentures, using improvisation in conference speeches on risk taking, entertainment programs with business messages, and the TEAMprovising course using improv for team-building and communication. His book “Public Speaking: Get A’s, Not Zzzzzz’s” is available through www.IMPROVentures.com . Labels: improv in small business |
