The Improvisation Edge

Communicate, Collaborate and Have a Great Time at Work!

60-90 minute Keynote Presentation

In this high-energy, interactive keynote, Karen Hough, Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge and the author of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work” (published by Berrett-Koehler 2011) reveals four improv secrets that can radically improve your team’s success at work.  Improvisers think on their feet and manage extremely well in risky situations. The surprise is that the little-known techniques of improvisers can create incredible performance and build trust for people, teams and organizations. Did you ever lose a client because your engineer couldn’t speak in simple terms? Have you ever avoided a difficult conversation at work? How about your team – why does marketing struggle to work with R&D? Using humor, exercises, and case studies, such as her work with Coca-Cola Enterprises, Ms. Hough will teach immediately useable skills to build leadership, collaboration and better relationships. And good relationships are everything in business! You will walk out with:

• Simple ways to use the 4 secrets of improvisation
• 3 techniques to engage in positive, creative conversations
• Skills to help you think on your feet in stressful situations
• Exercises you can use back at work with your team or a partner

Every attendee will receive a copy of The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work and Ms. Hough will stay to sign books and answer questions.

One-day Workshop

Get ready to take a fully interactive, engaging deep dive into how the four secrets of improvisation can radically improve your team’s success at work.  Improvisers think on their feet and manage extremely well in risky situations. The surprise is that the little-known techniques of improvisers can create incredible performance and build trust for people, teams and organizations. Join Karen Hough,  Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge and the author of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work” (published by Berrett-Koehler 2011)in a fun, challenging day. You and your team will be up on your feet, learning break-through ways to collaborate, communicate, manage risk and change, and have a great time at work. Through the use of case studies, such as our work with Nestle, exercises and simulations, Ms. Hough and the ImprovEdge ensemble will provide immediately useable techniques for communication, collaboration, teamwork and leadership. When you leave, you will know and have practiced:

• 4 secrets of improvisers and how to use those at work
• 3 improv exercises you can use back at work
• Skills to manage difficult situations and stay flexible during change
• Effective ways to influence through body language and tone of voice
• Techniques to get your team engaged and accountable
• 4 leadership truths for the CEO or the individual contributor

Every participant will receive a copy of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work” as well as emails with articles, research and inspiration to keep the learning fresh after the event. (Large groups are broken into cohorts of 40 participants or fewer.)

Four-day Blended Learning Initiative

(This program includes 4 days of instructor-led training, online exams and challenges, workbook, research, and “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work.”)

This intensive, fully-interactive learning initiative is focused on the skills, education and acceleration of professionals in the workplace. Participants examine, practice and put to use the four secrets of improvisation, with the goal of making a difference back at work. The surprise is that the tenets of improvisation can build incredible performance and success for your team at work. The “through line” for the entire course is “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work.” A “through line” is a term from improvisation, and is a theme that will tie the various subjects of the program together in a way that is compelling, builds upon each lesson, and creates connections for the learners. The program uncovers important, little-known aspects of the philosophy of true improvisation.  For example, few people realize that improvisers are the most over-prepared performers in the industry, which is a large part of the reason that they can deal with risk, sudden change and collaborate on such a radical level. Those behaviors create trust and transformative behaviors in people, teams and organizations.

In this program, participants will not only learn and understand new concepts, they will actively practice and simulate new behaviors and techniques to put to immediate use. The sessions are fully interactive and part of an intensive blended learning initiative. Participants will engage in exercises, simulations, homework, e-learning and cohort collaboration. Learning objectives of the course include:

• Understand and apply the practices of improvisation to the workplace
• Learn 10 exercises that can be used with your team
• Know and intensify your personal brand
• Practice collaborative negotiation skills for greater influence and win/win
• Delve into techniques for effective change management, and how to manage the unexpected
• 5 critical techniques for networking effectively and using your elevator pitch
• Manage, motivate and create more complementary, collaborative teams
• Practice behaviors and planning for greater political savvy and influence in your organization
• Use new techniques for effectively managing difficult conversations
• Understand 4 leadership truths that can elevate a CEO or an individual contributor
• Practice impact and influence through body language and tone of voice

Session I: Yes! Space – The First Secret of Improvisation

In this initial, high-energy session, participants explore the art of positive communication, collaboration and employee engagement. Cohort teams are created and individual behavior goals are set. Real case studies proving the efficacy of the technique are used, including NBBJ, a global architecture firm.

Session II: Building Blocks – The Second Secret of Improvisation

Participants learn and practice the skills for focusing risk and opportunity to build exceptional careers. They will engage in ways to become more relevant to their team and more involved in the success of their organization. Real case studies proving the efficacy of the technique are used, including Legg Mason, the global asset management firm.

Session III: Team Equity – The Third Secret of Improvisation

Participants consider their unique strengths and the importance of complementary team behaviors. Managing difficult conversations and exemplifying leadership traits within a team is the focus of this session. Real case studies proving the efficacy of the technique are used, including Coca-Cola Enterprises.

Session IV: Oops to Eureka! – The Fourth Secret of Improvisation

Participants learn specific techniques to turn mistakes into advantages. This session digs deeply into managing change and risk and leveraging the learning of the first three sessions on a day-to-day basis.  Real case studies proving the efficacy of the technique are used, including Computers for Youth, a national not-for-profit.

Every participant will receive a copy of “The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work” and the Yes! Deck, a tool with tips and exercises that will be used in each session. Large groups are broken into cohorts of 30 participants, and the program can be provided on 4 consecutive days or over a 4-6 week period.