Yes, and...!(How improv comedy can make you

a serious communicator)

Mike Orrenhttp://mikeorren.com / @mikeorren

Class

photos by

Jared Moise

Need an example of a horrible product you wouldn’t want

to buy

The legacy

The basis of all improv*:

Yes, and...! * This talk is no

substitute for real training

Yes, and...

Never deny your partner.

Whatever your partner says is true and real.

If X is true, then what else could be true?…

Yes, and...Your partner just gave you a gift. The polite thing to do is to give them a gift.

Lather, rinse repeat. It’s about agreement.

Don’t “be

funny”

Just be real.

You have to

listen

Master specificity!

To amplify something you weren’t planning

for, you have to be creative

This doesn’t mean that all

ideas are good

Take it into a real-world

interaction at work with a

“partner” who doesn’t know

the gameExcelsior!

Most business

interactions are “No, but…”

Disagreement / Reaction

Contradiction

Nitpicking

Ignoring

Minimizing

Don’t be smarter.Be real.

Argument

Miss the forest

Miscommunication

Hard feelings

Have some fun with your

bossNothing throwsthem off-guardlike agreement!

Um, you really need to work late

to finish that TPS report, mmk? Yes-- Absolutely. In fact,

I also need to work on my 360-degree review formsCan’t get too far ahead on

those.

Well, now, that’s not due for sometime. No need to get ahead

of ourselves. Oh. That’s all right. In fact, I’ll recruit the rest of the department to chip

in.We’ll do it especially for

you!

Use your “and” to help your partner

see the absurdity

Remember ourbad product?

Benefits of bringing

“Yes, and...” to your bizForces everyone to really listen

Empowers everyone

Enhances creativity

Breaks the rut

Enhances critical thinking in those who might not engage otherwise

Bonus:

FUN!!!

Not so silly

Resources: http://tr.im/igniteimprov