How Fortune 500 companies use improv to build their leadership skills.

PART 1: Improv makes you a better decision maker.

Imagine all hell is breaking loose. Someone yells out, “All hell is breaking loose, what should we do?!” You hear a series of panicked “I don’t know, I don’t know!” then, breaking through the cacophony, you say, “We could try [anything really]” All heads are going to turn to you. Because you’re now the leader.

Leaders are the people who make decisions, and in turn, others look to to make those decisions. Especially under pressure.

So if you’re in management, or want to be, and you want to hone your decision making skills in moments of pressure, improv can help. Because improv is essentially just a series of decisions.

Imagine you walk out onto an empty stage with another person. You need to build a world out of imagination and show it to the audience. Where are you? Who are you? What are you doing? All decisions that need to be made pretty quickly. How do we know each other, how do we feel about each other, how many wings does a squirrel dragon have…? In improv, there are infinite options, so you’ve gotta choose wisely. And by wisely, I mean, just make a choice!  

Let’s say the scene starts with the other character saying to you, “Is that a new cape?”

You have a couple seconds to shake off the fact that you’re not actually wearing a cape in real life and accept the new reality being proposed, then decide some of the following:

• Why are you wearing a new cape? Is it to impress the other character? Job interview? Laundry day?

• Are you a superhero, or just fashionable?

• Is it new as in brand new, or just new to their character seeing you in it?

• Did you buy it, or make it, or a combination of both?

• What’s the difference from your old cape if you had to describe it?

• Who would ask you that? How do you know each other?

• Did they sound curious? Impressed? Disappointed?

• How much does them liking it matter to you?

There might be moments where you might think, “I don’t know.” But you do know, because you’re the one creating the world. Just like in life, you just make a choice, then make it work.

In conclusion, if you want to practice decision making, a key leadership skill, yeah, you should definitely try improv.

100 Ways to Play at Work #20: Get Emotional!

Nothing drives words out of your mouth like emotions. Pick one and give it a go. You might be thinking, but I’m not allowed to be emotional at work (other than anger, men are allowed to be angry all the time and call it “passionate”). I’m not saying start at a 10 on the emotional scale, just dip the toes in the water.

If someone comes up for a convo, think to yourself, “I’m gonna be a little excited/paranoid/surprised/proud/nostalgic and let it give your words some temperature.

I used to have just apathy and anger (aka fear) and my therapist hoped that one day I’d have the full range of emotions. So I practiced them with improv!

How you feelin’?

Top 3 Reasons your Staff hates Team Building Activities

#1: They don’t want to look stupid.

Most team building exercises are designed to be fun. Which sounds great to the person booking, and potentially terrifying to the people expected to have this so called “fun.” Fun sounds silly, and they don’t want to look silly. It’s embarrassing to act like a kid when you’re not a kid (especially in front of coworkers).

You see, adults not only forget how to have fun, they’ve been trained that fun is bad. Having fun means you’re not working. And you’re supposed to be working! So even if the boss says it’s okay to play, it takes time to get people feeling safe enough to be silly.

Mainly because, they don’t want to fail. That’s the real “What if I look stupid?” “What if I try something new and I’m not good at it and I fail and everyone thinks I suck?” Most people are terrified of failure. Which is why a lot of team building events are built around alcoholic drinks.

Solution: Avoiding silly, while it seems like what they want, isn’t going to help anyone grow. I’m proposing we go completely the other way. Stretch their comfort zones by going super silly, with potential to fail, but in a way that they fail together, and feel safe from judgement. That’s the key. And that’s the “Yes and!” of improv!

#2: They’re busy.

If it’s during the day, they’re busy with work. They might like the idea of fun, but if the deadlines stay the same, that “fun” is just gonna feel like another thing crammed into their already busy schedule.

If it’s during the evening, they’re busy with life. They’ve families, and friends, chores, health issues, and a whole world outside of work that let’s be honest, probably still requires them to work.

Solution: Keep it short and sweet. Have the event come to you. No prep needed. Just walk down the hall, join the improv workshop, have fun for an hour, then back to work feeling refreshed. And better for it. Because one thing that can help them overcome Reason #1 and #2 is that the activity will help them. Which brings us to…

#3: They don’t see the value in it.

People want to clearly understand what the activity is, and what they’re going to get out of it. How is this going to help me grow at my job or life? Basically, will doing this and learning this skill help me get better… and therefore make more money?

Or, if they’re not motivated by money (rare, but they exist), will this help make my life easier? Will I feel more at ease working with others? Will this make new ideas come more effortlessly?

If you’re going to get your staff to look past Reasons #1 and #2, then the activity has gotta be something they know for sure will benefit them.

Solution: As always, improv. Most people understand that being good at improvising helps with every interaction you have in life. The ability to adapt to change without panic. To think on your feet. Get good at small talk, better at presenting, thinking more creatively, improv makes you better at everything!

In conclusion, your staff might hate the idea of a team building activity, and we understand that. But it all melts away when, within minutes, they’re all laughing and having fun together without judgement, stretching their comfort zones and learning new skills.

Click here to book your team a workshop they’ll love!

100 Ways to Play at Work #19: Questions Only

It’s like Jeopardy rules. Hold down a “normal” conversation, but your end is always phrased in the form of a question. The key is to still answer them, and keep the convo going.

Bonus: It’s actually a really good way of being curious and finding out about others.

Eg.

Hey Kevin, I’m gonna need you to optimize the circle back on the AI.

How high a priority is this?

I kinda need it today, if that’s possible.

Today 5pm, or today midnight?

Anytime today would be great.

Wouldn’t tomorrow be considered today when we get there?

What?

Are you also playing the questions game?

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

What’s a fun activity to do for a company holiday party?

Okay, I’m a little biased, but since you’re asking me specifically, I’d have to say improv.

But let’s break it down for a sec. What do employees want in a holiday party?

First thing is probably booze. Ideally, free booze.

Then, to have fun. Have an activity that gives them something to do so they don’t have to resort to small talk.

Which brings me back to improv.

• It’s super fun, to the point where they wouldn’t realize they’re learning key skills (ironically, one of them being better at small talk).

• It gets everyone involved, even the shy ones, believe it or not.

• It gives people the chance to show how naturally or unnaturally funny they are.

• It’s a chance for everyone to laugh and play together.

Add some booze to that and you’re golden. ;)

Reach out and we’ll help you build that hilarious holiday party!

10 Best Team Building Activities to do in Toronto (that are all Improv)

#10 Ziplining Improv!

A thrill ride of excitement. You’ll feel like you’re falling without a net!

#9 Cooking Class Improv!

Learn some new skills that’ll make every dinner party a success!

#8 Escape Room Improv!

Solve mental puzzles to help you break free from being trapped in room with a bunch of coworkers.

#7 Paintball Improv!

Outwit, outplay, and outlast in this exciting physical team challenge.  

#6 Wine Tasting Improv!

Hone your senses to help you truly experience and savour the moment.

#5 Trivia Night Improv!

Test your knowledge in real time on a wide array of different topics.

#4 Boat Cruise Improv!

Go on a journey together to enjoy the sights and sounds of the world around you.

#3 Scavenger Hunt Improv!

Run around looking for random objects, meeting random people, doing random things.

#2 Murder Mystery Improv!

Play characters and try to solve a mystery without knowing who did it, or any of your lines.

#1 Karaoke Improv!

Sing popular songs together, knowing nobody’s judging the quality of your voice, they’re just there to have a good time.

If you’re thinking of trying any of these team building activities, reach out to us and we’ll help make it happen, as long as it’s improv.  

100 Ways to Play at Work #18: Props

In improv, you can take any object and use your imagination to make it something else. ​F​or example, a pen ​can be a moustache, a cigar, an alien antennae, a giant tower in a miniature world.

In real life, you can ​g​o beyond imagination and actually use things for more than their intended purpose. ​There’s the obvious, coffee mug that hold​s pens (mini towers), or paper clips (mini racetracks). ​But go further. Your rolly chair is a vehicle. Your desk a dance floor. Use your tie as a belt. Use your belt as a tie. Use your post-it notes as a dress.

You just gotta think to yourself, what else can this​ thing ​b​e or ​d​o?

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

Top 3 Reasons to Choose Improv for your next Team Building Event

#1: Improv is Fun(ny)!

At this point, if you’re doing a team building event, it’s pretty much expected to be fun. But improv goes beyond fun, it’s funny. Sure, there might be funny moments in other events, like getting stuck halfway up a rock climbing wall, or a paintball to the butt, but improv is designed to bring laughs. And the best part is, the team are the ones creating the laughs, together.

#2: Improv is Fun for Everyone!

There are always going to be shy people who want to hang back, and boisterous leaders who want to take control. The funny ones, and people who don’t realize how funny they are. The thing with improv is that everyone participates. And everyone succeeds. Because when you’re building comedy together, the laughs are shared.

#3: Improv is a Key Skill!

No matter how much we plan, every interaction we have is improvised. So it’s a pretty helpful skill to hone. Amidst all the laughing and having fun together, your team is learning how to support and collaborate, think on their feet, stretch their comfort zones, and adapt to change in the moment. Think escape room, but the room keeps changing, and nobody’s yelling.

If you’re looking for a fun and funny team building workshop, where everyone enjoys being involved, and learns keys skills, check out our corporate improv workshops or get in touch and we’ll build the event for you.

100 Ways to Play at Work #17: Rhyme Time!

As usual, strike up that “normal” conversation. This time the game is: whatever word they end with, make sure your last word rhymes with it.

Bonus points if your sentence is roughly the same number of syllables. You can even keep a beat going in your head. This is great practice if you ever find yourself performing on an A cappella musical improv team (shout out to JerJosh & the SteveCams).

Eg.

Hey Heather, check this AI thing out!
Oh amazing, what’s it all about?
Well, it’s some art I’ve been working on, you know, on the side.
You should share it around, that’s not something to hide.

(Full disclosure, the art wasn’t great, but in the moment Heather couldn’t think of a different rhyme.)

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

Winner of Toronto’s Best Improv Team Building Workshops Award

Play with Fire Improv was recently awarded Toronto’s Best Improv Team Building Workshops Award, or TBITBWA, or “T-bit-bwah” as some call it, and Cam Algie (founder and lead facilitator of Play with Fire Improv) couldn’t be happier.

“Yeah, I was honoured to hear the news that we’d won,” says Cam, “it’s obviously something we’ve work hard to be great at, and while getting amazing feedback from our clients is award enough, receiving an actual award is also nice.”

According to the judging committee, they were the clear favourite. “They definitely deserve the prestigious award, they truly care about their clients, and run amazing customized workshops for teams of all kinds. I’m proud of them and happy they won, and it wasn’t even a biased choice,” said head judge, Cam Algie.

If you’re interested in some award-winning improv training for your team, check out Play with Fire Improv’s corporate improv training page, or contact them to make it happen.

Definitely an esteemed improv award and not a softball trophy.

100 Ways to Play at Work #16: Make Art

Don’t just staple pages together, staple a little picture. Make a flip book out of post-it notes. Bend paperclips into animals. Use highlighters as watercolour.

Take 10 minutes to just create… something. Go over to the photocopy room right now, grab some paper scraps, tape, markers and make your (daily? weekly?) masterpiece to display at your desk, or on the office fridge.  

It’s not about selling the art, or doing a good job, it’s simply enjoying the act of creating something new.

What will you art today?

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This series was inspired by people asking me “How do I keep doing improv?” after a corporate improv workshop. There are, of course, improv classes, more workshops, team building exercises you can do with your group, but these games are specifically ones you can do on your own to practice “Yes and” and get into a state of play.

100 Ways to Play at Work #15: Play Bingo!

Another boring meeting? Doesn’t have to be, because you’ve created your bingo card. Draw a 5x5 grid of boxes. Then fill in your “favourite” potential meeting moments.

Some examples include:

• There are tech issues

• Someone says “Touch base”/“Let’s circle back to that”/“Out of pocket”​ 

• Someone interrupts to ask “Are you done with the room?”

• AI gets mentioned (maybe use as the guaranteed spot in the middle)

• Someone comes late and apologizes, then leaves early and apologizes

• Someone says “This could’ve been an email” then raises their hand for a high five but there are no takers so they high five themselves and say “Noice!”

• ​The meeting runs late

And when you get 5 in a row, let them know by yelling "Bingo!" that this was officially a meeting.   

100 Ways to Play at Work #14: Make up your own Saying.

Coming up with a new old timey saying is like putting dry boots on a wet goat. It’s hard. Or easy? I don’t know. But when you finally achieve it, it’s like finding a grape in your figgy pudding. You know you’ve tucked your shadow in for the night, and you can celebrate like tigers on a picket fence!

Share your new saying. Because as they say, the fastest mouse isn’t always the loudest.

100 Ways to Play at Work #13: Hype Team

Just as it sounds, find someone and be their “hype” person. Support what they say. Root for them. Build up their ideas.

Here’s the key, there’s gotta be something genuine at the core, or it’ll start to seem sarcastic. It’s just pushing the positive that’s already there. If you like their idea even a bit, go full love it!

Who are you gonna make feel great today?

100 Ways to Play at Work #12: Alliterating All Along

Pick a letter, any letter. Try to use it as much as you can. Done. A simple challenge to give convos a sense of play. Bonus points for any sentence where every word begins with the same letter. Extra bonus points if nobody notices, or thinks it happened accidentally.

“You got those budget reports ready?”
“Why, what a wonderful way of wording your wishes!”
“…Just give me the numbers.”

100 Way to Play at Work #11: Act Like and Animal

Take on the characteristics of your favourite animal. I’m not saying start barking, or grow wings, but more feel their vibe. If it’s a cheetah, move in short bursts, then rest for a long time. A sloth, just take your time with things. Hold your head with pride like an eagle. Slide into a room like a snake. You get it. Just try not to go full honey badger ;)

It’s not about other people guessing, it’s just something internal for you to enjoy.

What animal will you be today?

100 Ways to Play at Work #10: Scene Dubbing

Look at those two people way across the room talking. You can’t hear them, but you know what they’re saying. Because you’re dubbing in their words, playing their characters.

This works alone, or with a friend. Find a conversation you can’t hear, and imagine what they’re saying. Read their body language, distance from each other, facial expressions, who’s talking the most, for accuracy. Use your imagination for the fun.

Are they having a heated conversation about the budget, or about dragons? That’s up to you!

100 Ways to Play at Work #9: Have a Secret

There’s an improv game called “Secret Wants” where just the idea of knowing something the other person doesn’t affects how you interact with them.

Imagine if you and a group of coworkers went in on the lottery together, and you’re the only one who knows they won. You can decide to play it cool, have small talk with everyone else, but there’s no hiding the buzzing vibration you feel underneath.

It’s like having a new tattoo and not talking about it. It’s tough, but it’s also something interesting underlying every conversation you have. If only you could tell them!

What’s your secret?

100 Ways to Play at Work #8: No "P"

Have your usual small talky conversations, but this time restrict yourself from using one letter of the alphabet. Maybe start with a high-ranking Scrabble tile, like “Z” and breeze through a whole chat. Then get more advanced with avoiding “G.” Eventually you could risk a vowel, even the ever-present “E.”

“Hey Sandy, I need your help with this AI stuff.”

“…Sounds good, I can… work… with you… on this.”

“Great, so here’s the issue, it’s AI so it’s acting all AI, you know?”

“I totally und… I do know what you… say. And I also don’t… want that. I… fix now.”

Nailed it.

100 Ways to Play at Work #7: "What if...?" in a Positive Way.

Our brains are set to look for problems. So when someone pitches a really fun, creative idea, it’s common to spend the rest of the meeting talking about how it “won’t work” because of all the things that could go wrong. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to balance that out. Instead of being the “voice of reason,” be the “voice of potential.”

“What if we go over budget?”

“What if this idea is so huge that new clients come pouring in?”

“What if people hate it?”

“What if everyone loves it and we’re given the keys to the city for being so wonderful?”

When people “What if?” they assume it’s more realistic to imagine bad things. But concerns about wild, unmitigated success are just as valid. I’m glad somebody had the courage to express them.