The Modern Manager

Anyone who's worked on a team knows that communication can be a challenge. Sometimes, common problems require creative solutions. Improv is a powerful tool that brings out the best in any group or team. It’s not just for comedians; it can be used to create new ideas, solve problems, explore feelings, and connect with each other.
Today’s guest is Brian Rolnick-Fox, the Founder, CEO, and Chief Evangelist of Nimble Learning Strategies. Brian has been using improvisation as a channel for individual growth, group development, and organizational success since 1999. He has delivered communication and leadership programs for a diverse set of organizations from Fortune 100 companies to educational institutions some of which include Citibank, Goodyear, Dartmouth College, and Harvard Business School.
 
Brian and I talk about what we can learn from the field of comedic improv to help us be better communicators. We get into specific behaviors, mindsets, principles and tactics that can help us connect and collaborate better, plus we have a whole lot of fun.
Members of the Modern Manager community get a free Communication and Collaboration document from Nimble Learning Strategies. This document describes the three As of communication and how you can implement them to communicate more effectively in your daily life. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.
 
Subscribe to my newsletter to get episodes, articles and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox. 
 
Read the related blog article: How Managers Can Use Improv Strategies to Improve Communications
 
KEEP UP WITH BRIAN
Website: https://www.nimblelearningstrategies.com
Company LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nimblelearningstrategies
Personal LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianrolnickfox
 
Key Takeaways:

We are always naturally improvising; we take in stimuli and respond to them in the moment. 
Improv strategies can help us collaborate better by providing an opportunity to explicitly talk about how we communicate and collaborate.
We often forget that people or departments have different perspectives and assume we’re all seeing the situation the same.
Being specific in our language is essential to ensuring everyone is on the same page. 

Show Notes

Anyone who's worked on a team knows that communication can be a challenge. Sometimes, common problems require creative solutions. Improv is a powerful tool that brings out the best in any group or team. It’s not just for comedians; it can be used to create new ideas, solve problems, explore feelings, and connect with each other.

Today’s guest is Brian Rolnick-Fox, the Founder, CEO, and Chief Evangelist of Nimble Learning Strategies. Brian has been using improvisation as a channel for individual growth, group development, and organizational success since 1999. He has delivered communication and leadership programs for a diverse set of organizations from Fortune 100 companies to educational institutions some of which include Citibank, Goodyear, Dartmouth College, and Harvard Business School.

 

Brian and I talk about what we can learn from the field of comedic improv to help us be better communicators. We get into specific behaviors, mindsets, principles and tactics that can help us connect and collaborate better, plus we have a whole lot of fun.

Members of the Modern Manager community get a free Communication and Collaboration document from Nimble Learning Strategies. This document describes the three As of communication and how you can implement them to communicate more effectively in your daily life. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

 

Subscribe to my newsletter to get episodes, articles and free mini-guides delivered to your inbox. 

 

Read the related blog article: How Managers Can Use Improv Strategies to Improve Communications

 

KEEP UP WITH BRIAN

Website: https://www.nimblelearningstrategies.com

Company LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nimblelearningstrategies

Personal LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianrolnickfox

 

Key Takeaways:

  • We are always naturally improvising; we take in stimuli and respond to them in the moment. 
  • Improv strategies can help us collaborate better by providing an opportunity to explicitly talk about how we communicate and collaborate.
  • We often forget that people or departments have different perspectives and assume we’re all seeing the situation the same.
  • Being specific in our language is essential to ensuring everyone is on the same page. 
  • Participating in an improv game or activity can feel uncomfortable, but that’s an opportunity to acknowledge vulnerability and stretch yourself.
  • Working in sync requires us to listen, watch, and adapt ourselves to others.
  • Improv is successful because it’s grounded in the idea that “I’ve got your back” - whatever you do on stage, I’ll receive and take forward. We can cultivate the same atmosphere in our teams.
  • Improv also creates opportunities to form inside jokes, strengthening a team’s sense of connection. 
  • For specific improv activities to do with your team, check out the related blog article.

mamie@mamieks.com

instagram.com/mamieks

What is The Modern Manager?

Host Mamie Kanfer Stewart shares practical approaches to help you be a great manager. Learn more at: https://themodernmanager.com/

Solo episodes are like mini-courses, providing actionable tips based on experience and research. Guest episodes are engaging conversations that elicit insights and suggestions for how to apply the ideas.

Learn more about effective meeting practices, communication skills, managing conflict, team building, time management, group dynamics, goal setting and accountability, team competencies, productivity and collaboration technologies, organizational culture, and more.

Be sure to follow the podcast on your favorite platform so you never miss a new episode!