3 Ways Improv Strengthens Teamwork & Communication

By: Ames Doyle

The idea of doing improv often strikes fear in the heart of the average person, eliciting sweaty palms and protestations of “Oh, I could never do that!” This anxiety is natural, especially given the most common point of reference for many folks is the fast-paced, irreverent comedy style of the performers on the beloved television show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?

In truth, however, we all use improvisational skills every day! After all, no one wakes up knowing exactly what interactions they’ll have with their barista, their boss, or in traffic. When honed, these skills can be especially beneficial for workplaces, fostering collaboration, trust and creativity. Below you’ll find three ways you can use improv to improve workplace synergy.

Rolling with the punches

The biggest tenet of improv is “yes, and,” or the belief that every idea should be embraced—whether we like it or not! Acceptance is key to breaking through creative logjams. In a corporate environment (heck, any environment), it’s easy to get in the habit of simply waiting for your turn to speak, believing your plan of action to be the best one. By utilizing this tenet, employees are able to collaborate to alchemize any offering to its fullest potential rather than stunting outside-the-box thinking before it has a chance to break the mold, thus providing more innovative solutions.

Team building

When colleagues step onto a stage together for an improv workshop, everyone is on equal footing. Exercises may be rapid fire or slow, but all of them are spontaneous and new. Teammates gradually start to build trust as they navigate an unfamiliar environment, often with co-workers they don’t necessarily collaborate with regularly in an office setting. A few fits and starts and a lot of laughter later, your end result is better communication, boosted trust and a more tightly bonded team.

Confidence

Who among us hasn’t dealt with a case of anxiety before a big presentation? Whether you’re trying to win over a new client or simply updating the higher-ups, public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience. Improv gently teaches teammates to trust their voices and to move forward with gusto when offering up a new idea. Perceived shortcomings are transmuted—after all, our idiosyncrasies are what give color and texture to our ideas. When we learn that there is no such thing as “failure” in improv, we can embrace it, learn from it, and move forward more comfortably and confidently in our skin, taking that lesson from the workshop to the boardroom and beyond.

Improv skills are an excellent way to build bonds between co-workers and inspire leadership in everyone on your team. Not to mention, it’s fun! If you’re looking to shake things up in your business, Dad’s Garage is ready to help! Email us at events@dadsgarage.com or check us out at www.dadsgarage.com/hire-us