140 - How to use Applied Improv to Enliven your Workshops with Shannon Hughes

Using “yes-and”, following the flow, and focusing on the process as much as the outcomes… Is this improv or facilitation? The two share a lot in common! When we combine them, we can create amazing, immersive workshops. And that’s exactly what I discuss with Shannon Hughes in this week’s episode. Shannon dedicates her work to generating ‘aliveness’ – helping leaders come alive and bringing confidence, connection, and creativity to teams. Now, she’s sharing the lessons she’s learned from bringing applied improv into corporate spaces – and how facilitators can bring a little more improv and play into workshops to amazing effect. Find out about: How beneficial it can be to remember that facilitators are guides, not teachers The multiple skills we – as communicators, colleagues, and people – learn from improvisation How to apply improvisation for conscious leadership (with a helpful acronym) Why absence has a bigger impact than presence – especially when it comes to leaders How we can become better listeners and help others to do the same The tools you might already be using in your workshops that you can apply to improv Don’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.  Questions and Answers Part one [01:15] When did you start calling yourself a facilitator – if you do? [04:34] If you call yourself an experiential facilitator, what is the opposite? [07:34] What brought you to imrpov and facilitation? And which came first? [14:20] What is the mindset of improv that we see in facilitation, and how do you apply improv in facilitation? [15:48] How do you bring this mindset into the room – do people pick it up or do you have to explicitly explain it? [21:02] Are there building blocks for psychological safety in improv? And what does the concept really mean in improv? [27:18] Where do you see the risk of applying improv – and especially the “yes and” principle? [31:43] Exploring – and practicing – Shannon’s favourite exercise: The Pride Rant. Links Shannon’s website: www.enlivenedstudios.com  Connect to Shannon: On LinkedIn On Instagram   Any thoughts? Share them with us! Support the show ✨✨✨ If you miss the "workshops work" podcast, join us on Substack, where Myriam builds a Podcast Club with monthly gatherings around old episodes: https://myriamhadnes.substack.com/