Do you want to become a better public speaker, but don’t like the idea of traditional public speaking? If so, then improv comedy skills may be the answer.
Improv is an improvisational theatre art form that can also help sharpen your public speaking skills, making you better at connecting with an audience and holding their attention. If you’re in business, the application of improv in that setting is called applied improvisation. There are numerous similarities between improv and public speaking environments – both require quick thinking on your feet, reacting to unexpected stimuli and dealing with stage fright. Furthermore, by embracing the concept of “Yes, And” in both situations, it encourages collaboration and encourages creativity.
Improv comedy has many benefits for those who feel uneasy about public speaking – it helps them become comfortable with unfamiliar situations as well as discovering new perspectives and ideas that wouldn’t have occurred to them otherwise. It helps build self-esteem, boosts creativity and encourages risk-taking; all of which can make for an effective public speaker. In addition to these intangible benefits, there are also specific improv strategies or techniques that aspiring speakers can employ when delivering a speech or presentation to an audience.
One popular improv strategy that you can use when preparing for public speaking engagements is “Yes-And”ing
Incorporate other people’s ideas into your own in order to build off each other’s thoughts in constructive ways. For example, if someone suggests an idea or opinion during a meeting or workshop, rather than shutting it down by saying “No” or rebutting it, take what they said and then add something else onto it; this gives everyone an opportunity to contribute without feeling shut down. This type of brainstorming works especially well during group activities such as panel discussions or debates as it encourages collaboration between participants rather than competition.
Another important aspect of improvisation is being able to adapt quickly
When faced with unexpected situations – all public speakers must learn how to handle these situations if they want to remain flexible when delivering speeches or presentations. Being able to adjust plans or opinions based on input from others allows speakers to stay agile even when faced with challenging questions from their audience members.
Lastly, another great way of improving public speaking skills through improv is learning how to make lighthearted jokes in-the-moment
In order to break the ice before delivering a speech or presentation often calms nervous energy which can help speakers feel more confident while performing in front of an audience. Making jokes can also give the speaker time for some self-deprecating humor which allows them show humility while being humorous at the same time – an excellent skill for any presenter!
Developing an understanding of improv comedy skills can provide immense benefit when attempting to improve one’s public speaking abilities; with countless useful strategies available that are applicable across different scenarios – all ultimately lead towards increased confidence when delivering presentations before large audiences! If you’re interested in hosting an improv for business workshop, contact us today!
