“Isn't It All Just Improv Anyway? Building Successful Relationships in the Workplace and Community” Anthony Auston, Richard Oberbruner, Susan Strunk 2012 Public Library Association Conference Thursday, March 15, 2012, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m.

2. Isn’t It All Just Improv, Anyway?
Building Successful Relationships
in the Workplace and Community
Susan Strunk & Anthony Auston,
Palatine Public Library District, IL
Richard Oberbruner, Chicago Improviser

3. Objective #1
Recognize & utilize
the elements of improv
to enhance daily interactions

4. Objective #2
Make the shift from
“Right or Wrong Thinking”
to seeing your options as
“Better Choices & Best Choices”

5. Objective #3
Move toward a
“Yes, and” attitude,
Allow for free flow
of communication

6. Objective #4
Explore resolution of everyday
customer service scenarios

7. Objective #5
Discover the value of laughter
when facing uncertainty

8. The 5 Elements of Improv
• Trust
• Communication
• Acceptance
• Building
• Spontaneity

9. Hand Clap Exercise
• Key Improv Element: Trust
• Clap once simultaneously with the person
standing next to you. Then, that person turns
and claps once simultaneously with the
person standing next to them until a hand clap
is passed to all participants.

10. Build Trust with Eye Contact
http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/20749-black-kitten-and-yellow-labrador-retriever-pup

11. Word Association Activity
• Key Improv Element: Communication
• Facilitator prompts individual or group to say
first word that pops into their head(s) based
on the word facilitator spontaneously says.

12. Dr. Know-It-All
• Key Improv Elements: Communication &
Building
• Four people stand side-by-side and answer a
question or explain a process one word at a
time building a complete thought. The last
person adds punctuation.

13. One Word Sentences
• Key Improv Element: Communication
• Participants build dialogue by exchanging
only one chosen word at a time

14. Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

15. “Yes, and…” Thinking
• Brings positive energy to the workplace.
• Affirms and expands possibilities.
• Endorses acceptance of what has been said.
• Moves conversation forward constructively.
• Helps create partnerships within the
workplace and within the community.

16. “Yes, and…” Thinking
• Key Improv Element: Acceptance
• Yes, And - Two character scene where each
completely agree or positively reinforce what
the other is saying.
• No, But - Two character scene where each
completely disagree or negatively reinforce
what the other is saying.

17. Solving a problem
Training a new employee Working with a community partner
Brainstorming ideas
Applying “Yes, and…” Thinking ?
Coaching for improved performance Resolving complaints
Introducing a service

18. Conducted Emotion
• Key Improv Element: Building
• Four demonstrative participants stand side-
by-side, each given a specific emotion with
which to express themselves verbally about a
given topic when pointed-to by the facilitator.

19. Building to Acceptance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom's_Taxonomy

20. Museum Statues
• Key Improv Element: Building
• Three participants connect physically and hold
their positions for audience to interpret the
meaning behind their poses.

21. Entrances & Exits
• Key Improv Element: Spontaneity
• Two character scene where conflict develops:
one character leaves and another enters to
interact with the remaining character. That
character leaves when conflict develops only
to be replaced by yet another character, etc.

22. Coping Strategies
• Pause/Stop • Suspend Judgment
• Breathe • Realistic Expectations
• Restate Scenario • Look for Root Cause
• Repeat the Question • Find the Positive
• Ask for Clarification • Play Along
• Use “I” Statements • Change the Setting

23. http://www.flickr.com/photos/modgirl/4795225576/

24. Finding a Fresh Perspective
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seeminglee/4556156477/

25. True in Improv, True in the Workplace:
“I made the best choice I could,
next time I’ll make a better choice”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettyfnmess/2725674288/

26. Marketing Madness!
• Key Improv Element: Building
• Facilitator asks the entire crowd
a series of questions, one at a time.
Choosing one answer shouted out
per question, the answer is repeated
to the crowd which, in turn, shouts:
“Yes, I love it! It's great!” and
applauds enthusiastically.

27. Thank you!
Presentation available online at:
http://www.slideshare.net/palatinelibrary
Susan Strunk: sstrunk@palatinelibrary.org
Anthony Auston: aauston@palatinelibrary.org
Richard Oberbruner: oberbruner@hotmail.com
Enjoy the conference!
Presented Thursday, March 15, 2012
Public Library Association Conference
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

28. R.O.I.
Richard Oberbruner Improv
Spontaneous team building
Stress Relief Via Laughter
Improve Communication Via Laughter
Laugh Via Laughter … What the heck
oberbruner@hotmail.com
(630) 664-6616
Rates that fit your budget. Seriously!