Improv, The Dog Whisperer, a Lightbulb…and Communication
In this post, discover how powerful improv technique, a page from Cesar Millan, and finally a lightbulb, can transform every conversation into engagement, spontaneity, and total effectiveness.
Specifically, you’ll learn:
An improv hack to enhance conversations with positive dialogue.
Collaborative techniques inspired by The Dog Whisperer's energy tricks.
How to integrate these insights, illuminating interactions like a lightbulb.
A Story - The Stutter
I battled a slight speech impediment growing up which led to much embarrassment and reflection. This, led to a life lived through the lens of observation, getting my degrees in Communication studies and more importantly, a major awareness of how people speak to, and treat each other.
But it wasn’t until participating in a series of improv classes after college that totally changed the way in which I approached communication. My anxiety, which revolved around looking stupid (on stage), began to lowly shift class by class into a collective energy in which I both gave and received support from others in the scene. To this day, three basic principles are the foundation of most of my communication skills training.
Improv Hacks for Everyday Conversations
Have you ever watched a live improv show? Performers build scenes, characters, and dialogue on the spot, creating captivating experiences from their creativity and quick thinking. What if I told you the skills used in improv can significantly enhance our everyday communication?
So, how do we do this? Here are three tips you can use today!
Tip One: The Magic of ‘Yes’
Click Above for Clip
A core principle of improv is "Yes, And..."—embracing and building upon what others say. This mindset invites us to expand on ideas rather than shutting them down, fostering a more collaborative and positive environment. By responding with "Yes, and...", we validate others' contributions and create a sense of teamwork and innovation. This approach transforms conversations and projects, unlocking unexpected and exciting possibilities while encouraging everyone to participate more fully.
Practical Advice: Part 1
Next time you're in a meeting or brainstorming session, try to fight the urge to rush to ‘solution’ by trying the "Yes, And..." exercise. Pair up with a colleague and take turns proposing ideas. Each person must respond to the other's suggestion with "Yes, and..." followed by their own contribution. For instance, if your colleague says, "Let's launch a new social media campaign," you might respond with, "Yes, and we could feature user-generated content to boost engagement." This exercise not only encourages creativity but also builds a more collaborative and supportive team environment.
Practical Advice: Part 2
When an idea doesn’t work out, instead of dismissing it outright, hold an "idea funeral." Gather your team and celebrate what the idea contributed, discuss what was learned from it, and give it a proper send-off. This keeps the creative energy flowing and reassures everyone that their contributions are valued, even if they don’t always pan out. This approach fosters a positive environment where team members feel safe to take risks and suggest innovative ideas.
Tip Two: Look to the Lightbulb
In former US Ambassador and tech entrepreneur Matthew Barzun’s’ book The Power of Giving Away Power, he speaks of the magical pull of interdependence.
Matthew Brazun speaks of the magical pull of interdependence. He says, “we say that great leaders “light up a room.” We think of this great, glowing leader all alone, beaming their light onto and off of each of us. The image is so representative of our instinct to isolate—to factor out our interdependence, to think we can do things all by ourselves. But like real-life light bulbs, people need energy and a connection to work. So when a leader “lights up a room,” that should be because they have made connections such that everyone’s individual lights turn on.”
Practical Advice: Build connections by actively listening and responding with "Yes, and..." to encourage collaboration. Project calm, positive energy, like Cesar Millan, to create a harmonious environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
Tip Three: Listen to Cesar Millan
Like most good improv performers, and the lightbulb, Cesar Millan, the renowned dog behaviorist known as The Dog Whisperer, teaches that energy is reciprocal: calm, assertive energy from us leads to calm, responsive beha vior in dogs. Similarly, in human interactions, staying composed and positive helps others mirror that energy, promoting harmony and productivity.
Practical Tip: Center yourself before a conversation, projecting calmness and positivity. Match the other person's energy subtly, adjusting your approach to foster a balanced and empathetic interaction.
What Else?:
Here are a handful of my favorite communication things from the past month:
· Article: Harness the Power of Flow Mens Health Article
· Podcast Episode: Simon Sinek: Thinking Differently with Marzun Barzun
· Scene: Tina Fay and Amy Poehler Improv Scene.
· Book: How to Know a Person
What’s Next?
I am currently looking for a venue to host my next Presentation and Storytelling Workshop. If you would like to trade space for a couple of free seats, please DM me.
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