IMPROV(E) YOUR BUSINESS
What leaders can learn from improv comedy
Improvisational comedy or “improv” is fast, fun and unpredictable. People have to explore ideas they were not even thinking of just moments earlier. Decisions are spontaneous and the results are often hilarious. And yet, there is a serious side to improv.
Improv is about handling unexpected situations with others. Solutions come when people support each other and work together. Comic legend Bill Murray has described improv as “the most important group work since they built the pyramids”.
The principles of improv are highly relevant for personal and professional development, and can help people become better leaders, colleagues and speakers.
Improv teaches critical skills such as collaboration, quick thinking, active listening, creativity and leadership. When these skills are applied in business, great things can happen; it’s no longer “business as usual”.
If you’re looking for a fun, energetic and inspirational way to boost your team’s cohesiveness and effectiveness, consider this keynote on improv.
Because life doesn’t come with a script. Sometimes, you have to improvise!
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“Be BOLD. Those two words got stuck in my head and in the heads of all those ADP leaders and associates that had the privilege to see John on stage. He was our keynote speaker at our annual convention in Barcelona, and his message still remains! John puts his heart in every word. Few speakers are so credible, humble and yet super strong with large audiences!”
Guadalupe Garcia, Senior Director, Talent Partner for ADP International
“Whenever I speak to audience, whether it’s five people or 500, it is always a privilege. Because those people are giving me their most precious commodity: their time. I make sure that I give them good value for that time.
Years ago, I worked as a lawyer for one of Canada’s major law firms. One day, opportunity knocked in the form of a job offer with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Although it meant stepping into the unknown, I made the move. I would rather try something and fail, than not try and wonder what might have been.
After almost two decades of fulfilling work, I made another career change and am now a full-time speaker, in English and French, giving keynotes, emceeing events, and running workshops to help companies, organizations and individuals communicate more effectively.
I have had the privilege of working terrific people in companies and organizations like Danone, Eni Suisse, Innosuisse, the International Volleyball Federation, Roche, the World Health Organization and Zalando. I also teach public speaking in the Executive MBA programs at the University of Geneva, University of Lausanne and IESE in Barcelona.
I am a 9-time European champion of Toastmasters public speaking contests and a TEDx Speaker. I have the good fortune to speak to thousands of people in 24 countries on five continents.
With fellow TOP SPEAKER Florian Mueck, I created Rhetoric – The Public Speaking Game™, the world’s first public speaking board game that is being played in businesses, schools and homes around the world.
Since 2009, I have written a blog about public speaking, Manner of Speaking. It is recognized as a one of the leading blogs in the field of public speaking, presentation skills and communication. I am also a co-founder of Presentation Guru, the digital magazine for presentation professionals.
I perform improvisational comedy with my troupe, the Renegade Saints. I also help companies discover how “improv” can be used to improve collaboration, communication and creativity for any corporate team. It’s an incredible comfort-zone-stretching turbocharge for any team!” — John
Showtime
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“John delivered a keynote address about the importance of public speaking to 80 senior members of Gore’s Medical Device Europe team at an important sales event. He was very informative, engaging and inspirational. Everyone was motivated to improve their public speaking skills. Following his keynote, John led public speaking workshops for Gore in Barcelona and Munich. He is an outstanding speaker who thinks carefully about the needs of his audience well before he steps on stage.”
Karsta Goetze, HR Business Partner and TA Leader, W. L. Gore & Associates