I have long been fascinating with performing and comedy. I believe in this world that laughter is the solution to almost anything. Today on my radio show, we talked about how comedy and improv training can improve your business skills. Listen now!
My first guest was Charna Halpern who is the famous director of IO Theater In Chicapo and IO West in LA. She is the author of “Truth in Comedy” and Art by Committee”. She has trained Mike Myers, Tina FeyVince Vaughn, Jon Favereau, Amy Poller and Chris Farley. Charna talked about what you can learn from comedy improv:
1. Don’t say no to other people’s ideas. Teams work best when you make brilliance out of each others’ ideas.
2. She repeats Del Close’s quote, “If we treat each other as if we were geniuses, poets and artists, we have more of a chance of becoming that”
3. When you say yes to each other, people are more willing to contribute to ideas. Think about adding not just listening.
John Cates is a Producer for Second City Communications, the corporate training, marketing services, and corporate entertainment division of the world-renowned improvisational theatre company. He believes that improv comedy can teach people how to focus. He discusses how humor can get people to embrace brand messages and internal communication initiatives.
Brandon Mendelson, who has almost a million followers on Twitter (and co-author of Dracula and Kitten), talks about his method of Snap Copy where he believes we need to inject humor into all business writing. However, to be effective, it has to be honest, you need to practice alot and if it does not work out, you need to have a backup plan.
John Sweeney is a corporate speaker, trainer, author and owner of the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. As a speaker and author, John bridges the skills and behaviors of improvisational theater to business challenges. He talks about how you need to forget the past if you are going to deal with change and chaos. He also discusses:
1. The similarities between great business leaders and great comedy improvisers.
2. How your confidence will lead to greater employee engagement.
Michael Parenti, Senior VP at Wachovia Bank Securities. He talks about the benefits of a banker these days being funny.
Robert Galinsky, Founder of the NY Reality TV School. Helping “normal” people become reality stars and business men stars of the board room. He discusses that unscripted leadership is important and the abilty to deliver a message with authority. He also supports the improv mantra in business- Never Deny, Always Reply and Never Ask Why.
Paul Seago, President of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce talked about how comedy helped in succeed in business through increased confidence, learning how to read a crowd, roll with the punches and develop different points of view.
