Yes, And… to Better Teams! How Improv Games Boost Confidence and Connection | Jordan Hirsch & Sarah Filman - E14

Have you considered using improv techniques to improve communication within your organization? After this episode with Jordan Hirsch and Sarah Filman, you’ll want to! Sarah is the Founder of Playful Perspectives, and with experience as a product manager and certified coach, she brings unique insight to team building. Jordan is the Founder and CEO of FishTree who uses his experience in consulting, improv comedy, and public speaking to create “a world where fear doesn’t hold good people back.” 

In this episode of the Amazing Teams Podcast, Sarah and Jordan take Doug and Una through a few improv games to highlight the differences between “yes, but…” and “yes, and…”, demonstrate what a supportive team looks like, and share with us how improv games can be applied in any organization. If you’re looking for ways to create a more supportive team environment, this episode will give you some great practical advice on how to get started.

Key Takeaways:

• How “Yes, but…” shuts people down, while “Yes, and…” can effectively build people up while improving on their ideas in a collaborative process. Jordan takes Dough and Una through a game to demonstrate how this works.

• Why do people need encouragement, even when they get the answer wrong? Sarah uses a game called “Five Things” to show how good it feels when you have a team to cheer you on, even when the stakes are low and the wins are small.

• How we can bring an “improv mindset” into our leadership. And how this will create more adaptable, happy, and resilient teams. 

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(01:27) - Building Amazing Teams: Key Ingredients
(01:58) - The Power of Improv in Professional Development
(03:29) - Applied Improvisation: Skills for Life and Work
(07:03) - Interactive Improv Game: Five Things
(11:55) - The Value of Play and Laughter in Team Building
(13:02) - Practicing Spontaneity and Affirmations
(16:05) - Overcoming Objections to Playfulness
(17:12) - Validating Concerns and Building Trust
(18:27) - The Power of Connection Through Laughter
(20:11) - Improv Mindset in Leadership
(23:39) - Practical Exercises for Team Building
(25:41) - The Yes, And Technique
(30:36) - Sharing the Tacos

Key Topics Discussed:

Amazing Teams, Doug Dosberg, Una Japundza, Jordan Hirsch, Sarah Filman, improv games, learning development, Playful Perspectives, FishTree

Mentions:

Leading with an Improv Mindset: https://improvmindset.fun/
Jordan's Website: https://fishtree.co/about
Sarah's Website: https://www.playfulperspectives.com/
Jordan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanhirsch/
Sarah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahfilman/  

Build Stronger, Connected, More Engaged Teams:

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About the Amazing Teams Podcast:

We started this podcast because we love teams, especially amazing ones. Michael Jordan said it best, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." This is what we're all about!

Our mission is to help others build amazing teams by having authentic conversations with remarkable people who are building amazing teams. We will explore the tactics, strategies, and frameworks that have helped them succeed.

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