What I Learned from Leading an Improv Workshop
This year, I led a weekly improv workshop that just had its first public performance.
People often tell me "I could never do that."
- ❌ I'm afraid to go on stage
- ❌ I'm not spontaneous enough
- ❌ I'm not funny enough
But what became crystal clear to me this year is that improv has NOTHING to do with any of that.
You don't need to "be funny", or have witty comebacks.
To build an unscripted story that captivates an audience, you just need to follow three simple rules:
- Accept what your partner offers.
Even if it's crazy or unexpected. If it's said, it's real. You start from there.
- Build on that offer.
You can't ignore it or go in another direction. You add YOUR brick on top of the one that was just laid down. (That's the famous "YES, AND...")
I added a third rule, the most important one for me:
- Throw away the idea in your head.
Before going on stage – or asking for a raise, or confronting a loved one – we often already know what we're going to say. We have a plan.
Next time, try this experiment: plan as much as you want, but at the last second, throw it all away. Enter the arena with an empty mind.
Three things will happen:
- You'll no longer be "in your head," so you'll actually be listening.
- You'll be surprised by your own reactions.
- You'll feel more alive than usual.
Experiencing this spontaneity and presence in a "safe space" within a group built on trust and laughter is a chance I was lucky to have this year. I recommend it 👍.
And since we're on my professional website: YES, this experience also feeds into my professional public speaking coaching BLAH BLAH BLAH.
