Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Presentation, Conversation, and Improv
"You don't rehearse a conversation, do you?"
Yes, indeed, that was an objection I heard when I posted earlier about the importance of rehearsing a presentation.
Here's another bit of (edited) push back:
"What about improv comics? Everything they do on stage is spontaneous. Fresh. Unrehearsed."
Both objections are laughable. Laughable!
To answer:
Do I rehearse conversations?
No. No, I don't.
You? Go out with a list of questions and topics on an index card when socializing, do you? ;)
If you have honed social skills, you probably don't rehearse conversations. You probably are filled with great ideas you'd like to share. And you're open to listening to the ideas of others.
photo credit: JoshMcConnell
My preferred presentation style is largely conversational. This means I come prepared to lead a conversation. And it means that I'm open to hearing ideas from the audience.
Out of respect for my audience, I rehearse my presentations. I rehearse because the content of my presentation is often meant to be thought or action provoking. A conversation starter, if you will.
Rehearse answers. Further, I think through questions the audience might ask, so that I am better prepared to answer them. I have rehearsed answers that I was never asked. And I have bumbled through answers that clever audience members were able to ask that I didn't have the imagination to rehearse!
photo credit: JoshMcConnell
As for those improv comics? Everyone can stand to become a much better presenter and conversationalist if they practice like an improv comic. (Yes, improv masters practice relentlessly. They make their performances look effortless after countless hours of practice.)
To experience the fun and work of improv, why not check out the comprehensive Encyclopedia of Improv Games? This is an extraordinary list of warm-ups, icebreakers, and improv exercises. It is a must-bookmark for anyone who presents -- or for parents who want to find new & amusing ways to discipline their children. (Instead of boring time-outs, why not make squabbling siblings play a rousing game of Three Noses? What other improv game can you inflict on whining, misbehaving children? ;)
Good conversations -- and good improv -- are filled with verve and fire. Ideas erupt from skilled people with great thoughts. Ideas themselves are nothing much -- until they are publicly unleashed, bettered and battered by conversational discourse.
Rehearse your conversations? Maybe not.
But consistently practice the art of conversation and improv -- so that you're prepared to test and grow ideas on any stage - social or formal?
Definitely!
"You don't rehearse a conversation, do you?"
Yes, indeed, that was an objection I heard when I posted earlier about the importance of rehearsing a presentation.
Here's another bit of (edited) push back:
"What about improv comics? Everything they do on stage is spontaneous. Fresh. Unrehearsed."
Both objections are laughable. Laughable!
To answer:
Do I rehearse conversations?
No. No, I don't.
You? Go out with a list of questions and topics on an index card when socializing, do you? ;)
If you have honed social skills, you probably don't rehearse conversations. You probably are filled with great ideas you'd like to share. And you're open to listening to the ideas of others.
photo credit: JoshMcConnellMy preferred presentation style is largely conversational. This means I come prepared to lead a conversation. And it means that I'm open to hearing ideas from the audience.
Out of respect for my audience, I rehearse my presentations. I rehearse because the content of my presentation is often meant to be thought or action provoking. A conversation starter, if you will.
Rehearse answers. Further, I think through questions the audience might ask, so that I am better prepared to answer them. I have rehearsed answers that I was never asked. And I have bumbled through answers that clever audience members were able to ask that I didn't have the imagination to rehearse!
photo credit: JoshMcConnellAs for those improv comics? Everyone can stand to become a much better presenter and conversationalist if they practice like an improv comic. (Yes, improv masters practice relentlessly. They make their performances look effortless after countless hours of practice.)
To experience the fun and work of improv, why not check out the comprehensive Encyclopedia of Improv Games? This is an extraordinary list of warm-ups, icebreakers, and improv exercises. It is a must-bookmark for anyone who presents -- or for parents who want to find new & amusing ways to discipline their children. (Instead of boring time-outs, why not make squabbling siblings play a rousing game of Three Noses? What other improv game can you inflict on whining, misbehaving children? ;)
Good conversations -- and good improv -- are filled with verve and fire. Ideas erupt from skilled people with great thoughts. Ideas themselves are nothing much -- until they are publicly unleashed, bettered and battered by conversational discourse.
Rehearse your conversations? Maybe not.
But consistently practice the art of conversation and improv -- so that you're prepared to test and grow ideas on any stage - social or formal?
Definitely!
Labels: Presentation
¶ 11/05/2008 04:30:00 PM
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