Q: What can I study to become a better presenter?
A: Improv
Q: Is there a way to learn how to think on my feet?
A: Improv
Q: What can I do to improve my creativity?
A: Improv
Q: How can I demonstrate the keys to successful communication?
A: Improv
Q: What’s a fun event I could host at my company off-site?
A: Improv
Q: How can I build trust with my co-workers?
A: Improv
Q: Is there a team-building activity that’s actually fun?
A: Improv
Q: How do I teach someone about humor?
A: Improv
Q: What’s a fun and easy way to get started in comedy?
A: Improv
Q: What is the shorter word for improvisation?
A: Improv
To learn more about improv, check out these other great improv posts.
Improv was one of my first forays into comedy and remains one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done. The tips, tricks, techniques and skills I’ve learned from studying improv have infiltrated my everyday life, making me a better communicator, presenter, employee, friend, son and member of society.
Still not convinced, even after knowing what you’ll learn in an improv class? Here are 5 reasons you, yes you, should take an improv class:
- You improvise everyday, you might as well be better at it.
- It’s fun.
- You’ll learn how to better communicate.
- You’ll meet new people.
- It will make you laugh. A lot.
Ready to take the hilarious plunge? Search Google for improv classes in your area, or hire me or one of my friends to teach an improv workshop at your work, school, or organization.
photo by abcahill
Despite being in 3-4 meetings per day at work, my company is driven by the written word–it drives accountability, clarity and decisions. One VP at my company lists writing as one of the most important skills new employees must master in order to be successful.
But why is writing well so important?
- It makes you think. Writing makes you think about the topic and forces you to get clear on your own thoughts.
- It can travel far and wide. A well-written document can travel far and wide within your company. I’ve had people compliment me about a post I’ve written from countries I’ve never been within 5,000 miles of.
- It drives clarity. In meetings, there’s no real restriction of words. When writing, it encourages an economy of words that forces you to only focus on the important pieces of information and get rid of the rest.
- It gets things done. Writing gets things done. A well-written document can be the catalyst to enabling hundreds of people to begin working.
- It is accountable. A written document is traceable and creates ownership. Accountability is critical in business, not to be able to assign blame when things go wrong, but to be able to trace a series of decisions to re-apply when things work well or to change when they don’t.
In today’s fast-paced economy and global landscape, writing well is no longer a luxury but a requirement.
The best way to improve your writing is to write, but there are also two great books to help understand what makes for exceptional writing:
Got your own tips for writing well? Share them in the comments.
by William Strunk Jr. and EB White
by William Zinsser
