Communication Skills Training

Program Overview

We've all been there. Making a presentation, being interviewed, pitching a client, looking for a new solution to a problem. Suddenly, somebody throws a verbal zinger - an unexpected question or comment. Some new thought comes from out of the blue. Somebody says something you think is really dumb. What do you do? That's where adaptive thinking comes in. Improving with Improv shows you how to think adaptively using improv comedy techniques. This workshop is not about turning people into comedians. It's about using comedic techniques to make you more effective at what you do.

Mental agility, creativity and flexibility are key for optimum professional performance and they're all part of the Adaptive Thinking process. Improving with Improv is a group workshop focusing on enhancing each participant's adaptive thinking skills - all while working to mirror basic issues in the workplace:

• Managing
  
• Leadership
  
• Training
  
• Team work
  
• Sales
  
• HR issues

What Adaptive Thinking Can Do for You

At this program's conclusion, participants should be able to:

• Be more aware of your own thought and observational processes.
  
• Think more creatively, listening more closely.
  
• Secure mutual support from others to keep things moving in a positive direction.
  
• Focus on the "now" while at the same time being aware of changing external influences and reacting appropriately.
  
• Solve a problem utilizing a non-linear thought process.
  
• Think faster in unpredictable situations; being more mentally adaptable.
  
• Be more sensitive to non-verbal cues.

How the Workshop Works

Each workshop is designed to accommodate approximately 12-20 participants for a morning, afternoon or evening session. Each exercise is rooted in improv comedy, but reflects real-world issues. Following each exercise is a brief discussion/analysis of what the participants were experiencing, and how this can be applied to actual work situations.

Exercises in Adaptive Thinking

Each Improving with Improv exercise is geared to dealing with a specific issue:

• Finding a way to agree and move forward even when there's disagreement
  
• Distilling an idea to its understandable/workable essence
  
• Building on non-verbal communication
  
• Getting on the same page/learning when to roll with a situation or control it/staying on track
  
• Finding other approaches using non-linear thinking 
  
• Improved interpersonal interaction
  
• Thinking on your feet/handling the unexpected
  
• Adaptive thinking: putting it all together

Who Can Benefit from Adaptive Thinking?

The list of people who can benefit from an Improving with Improv Adaptive Thinking workshop is as long as it is beneficial. This group includes:

• Managers
  
• Attorneys
  
• C-Level Executives
  
• Sales Force Members
  
• Team Leaders
  
• Engineering and Technical People
  
• Medical Professionals
  
• Media Executives
  
• Financial Professionals
  
• Business School Students

Improving with Improv is a comedy-based program that delivers seriously improved adaptive thinking/communications skills for its participants. In these times, more creative, more flexible thinking can make a big difference in how well you do your job and work with others, and how well your company succeeds. Improving with Improv, and its Adaptive Thinking curriculum will have you thinking about business issues in a whole new way. And solving them. The laughter doesn't hurt either.