Hi
I hope everything is going well for you. My youngest daughter works in LA teaching improv at Second City, and IO (formerly Improv Olympic). She also teaches management classes at Duke University and UCLA on how to use improv in business. I used her expertise for The Customer Service Training Tool Kit published by McGraw-Hill and I would like to share a technique which has proved a very useful communication tool.
This communication tool is used by actors to keep a flow of communication going. It is designed to prevent “blocks” being put up between people and is called, “Yes, and…” One of the biggest stumbling blocks we have in working together is when someone says, “No!” When one person puts forward a point of view and the other person says, “No,” the conversation will soon die out or come into conflict. Today, you will learn a simple improv technique that will help you work in collaboration at work with colleagues and customers and at home with loved ones. Just for today, whenever you are in conversation with another person, your job is to show interest in what the other person is saying and to build on the other person’s point of view by using, “Yes, and…” In other words, you are agreeing with them and at the same time, providing another point of view. Here’s an example,
By using the, “Yes, and…” technique, you are a) buying yourself time to think about what you want to say, and b) assuring the other person that you are collaborating with them. When people realize that you are not about building walls of defense or resistance, you will find your communication flows smoothly which results in collaborative solutions. Good luck with your new improv communication tool. News: The Winner's Attitude in it's second reprint--order your copy today from Amazon.com or major bookstores! All the very best. Jeff |
May 2006 Newsletter |
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| “Enthusiasm is the fire that creates miracles—fire up every day.”” |
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