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.
100 Ways to Play at Work #6: Number of Words
Just go about your normal work conversations, but this time set a limit on the numbers of words you’ll say before someone else has to talk. How do you decide how many? That sounds like a whole other game. Let’s just start with 5-10.
For example, 5 words.
“Hey Heather, how was your weekend?”
“It was great, I… concert.”
“You went to a concert?”
“Yep, Taylor Swift… good times.”
“Oh, I hear she’s amazing, big production, super fun.”
“Oh yeah, I was like…”
“…”
“…”
“…like what?”
“Had an amazing time… yep.”
Sure, you might talk more hesitantly, and they might see your fingers moving to count your words, but hey, fun.
Bonus Challenge: Start with 1 word, then go up to 20 (or as high as you want), then back down.
“Hey Heather, how was your weekend?”
“Great!”
“Oh, what’d you do?”
“Tay-tay concert.”
“Oh nice, did you love it?”
“I did!... indeed!”
100 Ways to Play at Work #5: Exaggerate Your Plans
Which sounds like a more fun convo:
“Got any plans for the weekend?”
“Not really, you?”
Or…
“Got any plans for the weekend?”
“Not really, just flying out to Barcelona because Taylor Swift wants to perform one of my songs with me, what about you?”
Sure, one’s a lie, and when they say “Wait, really?” and you say, “Nah, just wanted to say something more fun than catching up on chores” you’ll both have enjoyed that second of dreamlike wonder. And that’s a nice feeling.
100 Ways to Play at Work #4: Clap Last
You know those all-staff meetings where you have to clap a bunch of times because the company is making so much money thanks to you. For your next pat-ourselves-on-the-back-a-thon, bring back the classic game of “who can clap last?”
Is this a game we played in grade school? Yes. Does that mean it won’t apply to adult workplaces? On the contrary, it’s even better.
Probably doesn’t need an explanation, but basically you just make sure the sound of your clap is the last one heard. Works with one person, but really kicks in if you have a rival. Then you need to, as they say in business, hone your craft. Classic clap cover ups include coughing to cover it up, looking behind you while you clap as though it’s coming from someone else, or looking around like there’s a fly you’re trying to swat.
100 Ways to Play at Work #3: Mirroring (Verbal)
Photo by Kevin Thom
There’s an improv game called Headlines where someone makes up a newspaper headline, then the next person uses the last word of that headline as the first word of theirs.
“Local cat runs for mayor.”
“Mayor decides to do things based on financial incentive.”
“Incentive is a word that I’ll look up later.”
Now you can play that game with your conversations at work.
“Hey, did you hear that Mittens actually won and is now our mayor?”
“Mayor mittens? I like it.”
“You’re not worried about a cat making our city’s decisions?”
“Decisions are a cat’s specialty, they always know what they want and act on it.”
“I guess. Welp, I should get back to working on my AI.”
“AI is how we business.”
Bonus Challenge: Repeat more than just one word, use the last series words in your reply. (Saw this on some CIA Masterclass.) Again, don’t overdo it, just enough that you feel tickled.
100 Ways to Play at Work #2: Mirroring
Photo by Kevin Thom
If they cross their legs, you cross yours. Take a sip of coffee/water/martini at the same time they do. Also frown at your computer screen for hours and hours making occasional under your breath grumbling comments.
Nothing too obvious, like flailing your arms exactly the same way while they’re talking, but match their energy.
Mirroring isn’t just an enjoyable distraction, it’s also a legitimate way humans connect with each other. Remember, people generally like how they do things, so the more you’re like them, the more they’ll like you.
Not A Bonus Challenge: There’s an improv game called “one voice” where you try to talk at the same time as someone else, but let’s not get too advanced/annoying too quickly.
100 Ways to Play at Work #1: Alphabet Game
There’s plenty of stuff (deadlines, clients, that Kevin guy) trying to make your job stressful on the outside, so let’s try to balance that by finding some joy on the inside. This is a series of fun little games you can play on your own or with others, to put your mind into a state of play (even while you’re at work).
#100: Alphabet Game
Have a regular conversation with your coworker(s), like you always would, but make it fun for yourself by playing the Alphabet Game. Every time it’s your turn to talk, use the next sequential letter of the alphabet.
“Hey Sarah, I need you to AI that thing.”
“As you wish.”
“Thanks, it’ll be so on trend.”
“Bet it will be.”
“Let me know if you need any help with it.”
“Could I get more money?”
“Haha”
Bonus challenge: Instead of going in alphabetical order from a to Z, follow the order they set. If their first word is “Help!” you reply by starting with an “I.” Just use the next letter after theirs.
Fun!
How Improv Helps Your Business
Next time you’re looking for some “mandatory fun” to give your employees, think about doing an improv workshop. Not just because everyone will be laughing hysterically and having a great old time, but because it’s actually beneficial. I mean, sure skydiving paintball is fun, but what are you really getting out of it? Skydiving paintball does sound really fun, though.