Become a more agile business leader through improvisation
The tools of improvisation aren't just for stage performers: they are equally essential in managerial contexts. The dynamic business environment requires leaders to observe what is happening in the moment, adapt on a dime, and create with whatever is at hand—precisely the same skills used by professional performers.
In this workshop you will learn the tools of effective improvisation, and integrate them into your managerial skill set. Develop a confident, “ready for anything” mindset that helps you find the right action in the moment. Adapt rapidly to changing circumstances. Create innovative ideas on the fly. Communicate compelling narratives, and collaborate constructively with others.
Much of the program will be spent in interactive exercises designed to ignite your ideas and develop your improvisational skills.
Get out of our own head, and be present in the moment
Think and act on your feet, to respond rapidly and appropriately in dynamic situations
Open up pathways for creativity and innovation
Get the most from your environment through active listening
Develop your powers of presentation and persuasion
Collaborate with others for truly shared projects
Connect with people through storytelling
Pathways to Creativity
Connecting with your spontaneity and making effective use of surprises
Using constraint as a springboard to problem solving
Building Team Cohesion
Fostering respect, developing a group mindset, playing by the same rules and learning to build together
Adapting to change while leading and following
Listening for silences and finding the right moment to jump in
Creative Collaboration
Techniques for collaborative problem solving and making use of "bad ideas"
Presence and Power Dynamics
Warming up and owning the room
Power dynamics of physical presence and communication
Observing and challenging power dynamics
Storytelling as Compelling Communication
Narrative structures and their functions
Becoming inspired to tell a great story
Using storytelling to keep audiences engaged, storytelling with a live audience
Special features
You will hone your improvisational and storytelling skills in interactive exercises geared to a variety of situational contexts. The supportive setting will help you step out of your comfort zone, as you promote your personal and professional growth.
Andrew Chen
Faculty
Andrew is an Adjunct faculty member at the UBC Sauder School of Business who specializes in improvisation for leaders and business communications. He is a Canadian Comedy Award Nominated performer and has worked in improvisation since 2003. He has been affiliated with various improv organizations such as the Canadian Improv Games, UBC Improv and Instant Theatre, and has offered numerous improv programs in a professional development context.
I thoroughly enjoyed this course. The instructors are refreshing, sincere and skilled at improv. They successfully combined education and entertainment with the exercises and classroom setup.”
”The course material and instructors were really awesome!”