Filed under: arts and creativity, Charlotte, innovation trends | Tags: "yes and...", brainstorming, Charlotte, creativity, funny bone, ideation, improv, second city
I’ve been fortunate to take a handful of improv workshops during my life for different reasons, but it wasn’t until one from grad school (led by a Second City member, no less) that I realized its influence in innovation.
When brainstorming, I encourage using the phrase, “Yes, and…” to make sure everyone reserves judgment of others’ ideas. Generally, we find ourselves practicing the opposite, readily dismissing the kernels of a new idea without airing it out to see if someone can improve upon it.
Improv teaches us how to “live in the moment,” which can actually be a frightening place, but this is where the purest level of creativity (and comedy) live in your subconscious. Many workshops are geared to get people out of their shells, but they can also get them out of the box.
Here is a wonderful write-up with 10 principles of improv where you can easily see how they might be applied to a business setting.
And here is a free workshop put on by Funny Bone in Charlotte next week. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to check it out because of another event, so I’m hoping for another one at a future date.
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Nheeda, just saw your little write up in the Charlotte observer. Congratulations!
Hope you’re well.. It feels good that some ID alumni are spreading out beyond just the typical places like Chicago and the west coast.
Are you planning on visiting Chicago any time soon?
Comment by ash October 6, 2009 @ 5:07 pm