Why every leader should take an improv class

Have you? If that’s a no, put it on your development list, right near the top. 

And if you have, you know what I’m talking about. 

In this crazy world of change, no one teaches better, trains better or helps us deal like an improv class. 

The performers who make stuff up on TV and theatres the world over, moved things online during the pandemic, and they adapted nicely! 

Here are five reasons why taking improv has got to be on your list for either an in-person class or an online one. Or a bit of both! 

1. You’re constantly thinking on your feet 
2. Communication is essential 
3. Your nerves get tested
4. You fail a lot (I think this one, this one is what makes us more willing to experiment, try and have a go)
5. Growth becomes a mindset. 

Read more in this article in Inc. Magazine by Jason Hennessey 

And then sign up at your local improv troupe, group or club. 

In Melbourne, that’s the wonderful Impro Melbourne and a big shout out to the wonderful people, teachers, performers and players like
Jason Geary
Patti Stiles 
Lliam Amor
Rik Brown 
Katherine Weaver 
Jenny Lovell 

In Perth, check out Glenn Hall !

Improv is where the great lessons, techniques and mantras like ‘yes and’ come from! 

There’s plenty more to be had. As soon as you can, do it. Ready?

Acknowledging the anxiety

Many people are feeling it; the anxiety of returning to workplaces, crowds, elevators and common areas. 

Do you ignore it? 
Do you say something? 

If you say something, might you make it worse or bring into focus something that’s better left as it is? 

In tough times particularly, we must spend time interacting, engaging, asking and listening. 

It’s a facilitation technique to acknowledge what is there - not ignore it. 

I recall I was facilitating a corporate workshop on the day of the 9/11 attacks. I may have been in Australia, half a world away, but it was a global event. 

Our workshop started later, slower, a revised agenda, more breaks ... and less expectations. We talked a lot about the events of the day. 

We worked with what was there, not pushing forward with previous priorities. 

In these times of increased anxiety, you’ve got to say something. 

Go slower. 
Ask. 
Listen. 
Wait. 
Pause. 
Reflect. 
Wait. 

That means the rush and push of people needs to slow a little while we adapt.

This article about the ‘spectrum of feelings’ people have in the return to offices from Digiday outlines what’s making people feel anxious and some tips on how to respond. 

The extroverts will take care of themselves

How are you engaging, connecting and facilitating interactions among a diverse team? 

Winging it doesn’t work. 
Letting things flow can cause problems later. 
Denying you need to do something deliberate can also be fraught. 

Introverts
Extroverts. 
Ambiverts. 

All belong. 
All have much to bring, give and contribute. 

But if you’re waiting for them, you’re missing the point of leadership. 

You can set up a process, a constraint, an activity or use deliberate techniques that will get the best out of everyone. 

This article on how ambiverts - who have both introvert and extrovert qualities - benefit the workplace is a good one. It reminds us that there are people different to us. 

And as the world of work evolves to the next phase of hybrid, returning to offices and working from anywhere, maintaining connections across difference and diversity is a necessary and powerful leadership capability. 

What are you:
- Introvert?
- Extrovert?
- Ambivert? 

Hello Hybrid - ebook

As many workplaces experience more hybrid ways of working - some people are here, some there, some on site, some working from home - the challenges of engaging and leading in this environment can be tricky. 

We don’t want the worst of online and face-to-face combining to create an awkward, disengaging and excluding hybrid world. 

No, let’s bring the best of both face-to-face and online together to create this new world of hybrid. 

Sadly, it’s easy for us - thanks to our biases - to forget or exclude people. And even more so in a hybrid world. 

Our Proximity Bias draws us to those who are nearer and more visible. 

And the complexities of building psychological safety are many. 

It’s a bit of a juggle to lead multiple people in multiple places. And it’s not static: it changes day by day, week by week!

How do you better lead a team to collaborate, plan, meet and work well together? 


‘HELLO HYBRID’ is a 40-page ebook - based on my keynote presentation and workshop of the same name - and includes 12 practical techniques to consider and apply. 

Get it here

Team Building is Booming

Ropes courses, race around the world games and traditional team building stuff has all but disappeared without the face to face work of the past year. 

But if all of your online gatherings are all work and no play, it’s not bringing the relaxation, connection and laughter potential that a more human, fun experience can bring. 

Many leaders are tapping the creativity that’s come from the online team building boom. 

Whether you run trivia or other games, send a pack of goodies for a themed gathering, make cocktails, learn a fun skill or have a comedy event, there are ideas aplenty. 

Yet these experiences don’t just happen. 

🎯 Here are 5 quick tips: 

1. Schedule it: get the date in the diary so you build towards it. 
2. Shortlist ideas: identify what’s a cultural fit. 
3. Test it out: sample the proposed experiences. 
4. Try it with a team: have a few more people experience it and get their views. 
5. Roll it out wider: press ‘go’. 

You don’t need corny games ... but even those can be fun and break the zoom fatigue of always being online for work.

💡How could you better build team
in virtual times?

▶️ Read more in this Fortune article about booming businesses in team building