Isn’t It All Just Improv, Anyway?Building Successful Relationshipsin the Workplace and Community

Susan Strunk & Anthony Auston,Palatine Public Library District, IL

Richard Oberbruner, Chicago Improviser

Objective #1

Recognize & utilize the elements of improv

to enhance daily interactions

Objective #2

Make the shift from“Right or Wrong Thinking” to seeing your options as

“Better Choices & Best Choices”

Objective #3

Move toward a “Yes, and” attitude, Allow for free flow of communication

Objective #4

Explore resolution of everyday customer service scenarios

Objective #5

Discover the value of laughterwhen facing uncertainty

The 5 Elements of Improv

• Trust• Communication

• Acceptance• Building

• Spontaneity

Hand Clap Exercise

• Key Improv Element: Trust

• Clap once simultaneously with the person standing next to you. Then, that person turns and claps once simultaneously with the person standing next to them until a hand clap is passed to all participants.

Build Trust with Eye Contact

http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/20749-black-kitten-and-yellow-labrador-retriever-pup

Word Association Activity

• Key Improv Element: Communication

• Facilitator prompts individual or group to say first word that pops into their head(s) based on the word facilitator spontaneously says.

Dr. Know-It-All

• Key Improv Elements: Communication & Building

• Four people stand side-by-side and answer a question or explain a process one word at a time building a complete thought. The last person adds punctuation.

One Word Sentences

• Key Improv Element: Communication

• Participants build dialogue by exchanging only one chosen word at a time

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

“Yes, and…” Thinking

• Brings positive energy to the workplace.

• Affirms and expands possibilities.

• Endorses acceptance of what has been said.

• Moves conversation forward constructively.

• Helps create partnerships within the workplace and within the community.

“Yes, and…” Thinking

• Key Improv Element: Acceptance

• Yes, And - Two character scene where each completely agree or positively reinforce what the other is saying.

• No, But - Two character scene where each completely disagree or negatively reinforce what the other is saying.

Applying “Yes, and…” Thinking

Training a new employee

Resolving complaintsCoaching for improved performance

Working with a community partner

Introducing a service

Solving a problem

?

Brainstorming ideas

Conducted Emotion

• Key Improv Element: Building

• Four demonstrative participants stand side-by-side, each given a specific emotion with which to express themselves verbally about a given topic when pointed-to by the facilitator.

Building to Acceptance

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom's_Taxonomy

Museum Statues

• Key Improv Element: Building

• Three participants connect physically and hold their positions for audience to interpret the meaning behind their poses.

Entrances & Exits

• Key Improv Element: Spontaneity

• Two character scene where conflict develops: one character leaves and another enters to interact with the remaining character. That character leaves when conflict develops only to be replaced by yet another character, etc.

Coping Strategies

• Pause/Stop• Breathe• Restate Scenario• Repeat the Question• Ask for Clarification• Use “I” Statements

• Suspend Judgment• Realistic Expectations• Look for Root Cause• Find the Positive• Play Along• Change the Setting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/modgirl/4795225576/

Finding a Fresh Perspective

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/4556156477/

True in Improv, True in the Workplace:

“I made the best choice I could, next time I’ll make a better choice”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettyfnmess/2725674288/

Marketing Madness!

• Key Improv Element: Building

• Facilitator asks the entire crowd a series of questions, one at a time. Choosing one answer shouted out per question, the answer is repeated to the crowd which, in turn, shouts: “Yes, I love it! It's great!” and applauds enthusiastically.

Thank you!Presentation available online at:

http://www.slideshare.net/palatinelibrary

Susan Strunk: sstrunk@palatinelibrary.orgAnthony Auston: aauston@palatinelibrary.org

Richard Oberbruner: oberbruner@hotmail.com

Enjoy the conference!

Presented Thursday, March 15, 2012Public Library Association ConferencePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

R.O.I.

Richard Oberbruner Improv

Spontaneous team building

Stress Relief Via Laughter

Improve Communication Via Laughter

Laugh Via Laughter … What the heck

oberbruner@hotmail.com

(630) 664-6616Rates that fit your budget. Seriously!