Video Transcript
If you work in HR, Learning and Development, or a people and culture role, then one of the things you’re probably always thinking about—we always hear about it—is leadership development. How do you invest in developing your leaders within the team to empower them, to help them, and set them on a career trajectory inside your business that grows your business?
There are so many options out there, right? We hear all the time from people who hire us that they’ve hired hacks in the past. They’ve had facilitators come in who didn’t really do anything. They’ve had PowerPoint presentations that put everyone to sleep. They spent lots of money on things and got little value for it.
We feel like at PowerProv, the training that we do is built around an ensemble mindset, which at its core is really a status buster. It puts everyone on an equal playing field and creates this sense of like we’re all in this together. That said, every single one of the skills that someone who takes a PowerProv workshop acquires will set them up to become a better leader, whatever it is they’re doing.
Some examples from you, Carolyn. What would you think some of the top examples of that would be as far as the games go?
I think being open to… I’ve seen many times you walk into a room and you’ve got all, like, the boss, the manager, you know, the secretary, reception—all the people together in a room. I think some of the exercises that we do bring that status together so that they all have the same vocabulary when they leave. They all see each other make mistakes. They see each other celebrate mistakes, fail joyfully, embrace the adaptability, and the way they communicate. Seeing everyone walk out with the same skill level helps them to stay connected on that vocab. I think that’s important.
Yeah, the status thing is interesting. Someone described it to me once as like, I know he’s not alive anymore, but Steve Jobs at Apple—high status. Steve Jobs in the desert surrounded by dingos—low status. Same person, right? The intrinsic qualities that make you a great leader, you know, they’re in you wherever you are. But how you apply them and when you can apply them really determine whether you get eaten by the dingos or succeed at your job.
To touch on a couple of other things that I think every great leader needs are obviously being a great listener, being a good communicator, and being a team player. Collaboration as well is big right now, with everyone sharing ideas. A great leader gets ideas and communicates with people throughout the business, not just the leadership team. Being open to a different variety of people and that collaboration is really important.
The word that pops into my head is support. If you think about what improvisers do on stage when they’re performing, they all step out there with no idea what’s going to happen. Their only job is to support each other. I know that whatever I do, I have to make you look good and trust that, believe, and accept that you’ll do the same for me. That kind of support role that you learn through the exercises we do at PowerProv, once you take that mindset into your work environment as a leader, you suddenly see new ways that you can support people, make them look good, and help them on their own trajectories. That’s what every great leader does, I think.
Cool. So adaptability and being a great leader are just two of the many things that we help people do at PowerProv.
Our improv workshops help business teams operate more effectively, efficiently, and joyfully.
🔓 Unlock the power of “yes, and…”
🤝 Connect, communicate and collaborate at a deeper level.
🛼 Develop more confidence, resilience and agility.
✈️ Flying Solo? Check out our 6-week improv classes for business professionals.
“Even as a virtual workshop, my team got to know each other better, had fun, bonded, and built trust.”
“It's a safe, fast-paced, mind-expanding environment and get's you thinking differently about how to solve problems”
“I was nervous beforehand, but everyone was pleasantly surprised. Don't be scared, give it a go.”
“We learned to accept and embrace failure and to be receptive, and adaptive to when problems arise.”
“The perfect type of session to run post-COVID. I can't think of a better way to bring a team back together.”
“Loved the tools for innovation and idea generation. High energy, playful and fun.”
“I loved seeing my team go outside their comfort zone and get more closely connected and confident.”
“Well suited to any organization that wants to help their teams connect more, improve focus, active listening and have fun.”
“So much to take away and apply at work. Facilitators were awesome and time flew by. Highly recommended.”
“It was great to learn to be open and flexible and build on other people's ideas without giving up my own.”
“The skills you learn are vital for everyone and anyone. We want to do this on a regular basis!”
“Exceptional professional development and everyone walked away inspired, enthused and enlightened.”
“We received awesome verbal feedback on your workshops and an incredible 85% satisfaction rate!”
“The debrief drinks afterwards were so wonderfully positive and the learnings will serve us well for a long time to come.”
“The evaluation scores for our PowerProv event received 4.0 out of 5. Congrats! One of the highest scores we've ever had.”
“So much fun! Not your-run-of-the-mill team offsite. A wonderful way to get to know the team IRL.”
“Genuinely uplifting and insightful. Absolutely no ‘acting out’ required. 100% suitable for introverts. Corporate training budget extremely well spent.”
“High energy, totally absorbing and a super-fun way to get us even better connected.”
