The biggest take always I got from this program were more exercises to do with groups to illustrate communication and creativity processes, and also ways to use exercises when just interacting one on one with folks.
Before I go into the different exercises we did, I want to share some really important verbiage they shared that really resonated with me.
2. To keep these aforementioned talented folks engaged - especially when doing group work like brainstorming - ask them to facilitate the exercise or be the scribe. So, instead of them not participating at all because they're more focused on the dark spots, tell them that you need them to facilitate the group's current exercise. This is great for two reasons: they're doing an important and valuable task and the group is getting the results they need at the time.
And from there we work together to develop the idea and together with a more fun and positive attitude we might come to the conclusion that, 1) this is going to be great! Or 2) this needs more work but has potential, or 3) this is not actually the best way to fulfill the learning need. So, sure, it might take longer to get the the, "this is a crappy idea" but it allows the idea generator to reach that conclusion on her own which is more powerful anyway, and it also provides equal opportunity to get to the, "wow, this is a great idea!" Win win for both parties.
The Exercises
"Red ball, thank you."
This is a whole group exercise that brings awareness to the communication pitfalls we all cause and are victims of each and every day.
Have the group stand in a circle. The lead facilitator holds up an imaginary ball in one hand and says, "In my hand I have a red ball and it will forever be red and it will always stay this shape and size. Before I throw my red ball to someone I have to make eye contact and say Red Ball. The recipient has to acknowledge the red ball by saying in response, Red Ball, thank you. Then that person makes eye contact with someone and repeats the process."
This goes on for a few minutes until the group gets the hang of it. Then the facilitator pauses the group and asks to see the red ball. Then he/she introduces a green ball in the exact same way they introduced the red ball and the game begins again but with two imaginary balls going throughout the circle. The facilitator keeps adding more and more imaginary items (yellow ball; polka dotted blue ball, etc) until it's pretty clear that the group has dropped some balls. At that point, the facilitator pauses the group and asks to see all of the imaginary objects. Chances are all items won't be accounted for. Then the facilitator debriefs the exercise and calls attention to what went wrong. Then we start all over again but then we add even crazier objects like a rabid squirrel, a crying baby, a freshly baked pie, a card catalog from 1972... You get the idea. Ideally, the 3rd round should end with all objects accounted for because participants (especially those in the sender role) will be more diligent about getting confirmation from the person who's on the receiving end of the item before they actually toss/pass the item to them.
"Thank you"
This is a pair (1:1) exercise where each participant takes turns having a typical conversation about any topic they wish but before each turn the participants must say, "Thank you," before saying their next sentence. For example:
Julie: Hey, how was the ALA conference?
Carrie: Thank you. It was great. I attended a lot of really great sessions. How about you?
Julie: Thank you. I went to several really great sessions. I think the TLC program was the best though.
Carrie: Thank you. I wanted to go to that one but I had a different one that I really had to attend instead.
Julie: Thank you. So, which one did you attend instead?
You get the idea. The notion is to slow down your conversation and always start on a positive and encouraging note because both of those components help to stimulate dialog.
"Beginning with the end"
This is a pair (1:1) exercise where each participant takes turns having a typical conversation about any topic they wish but each participant has to start his/her first sentence with which ever word was their partner's last word. For example:
Julie: Hey, how was your fourth of July?
Carrie: July fourth was crazy hectic cause I'm trying to pack and move and start a new job but all in all I had a great time with friends and family.
Julie: Family get-togethers are always memorable times.
Carrie: Times when we can eat good food and drink good drink and play a fun game or two!
Julie: Two of my cousins even showed up yesterday to celebrate the holiday!
You get the idea. The notion here is all about communication as a team/partner effort. You want to set your partner up (and vice versa) to succeed by giving them a gift in the form of an easy-to-use last word. So you really have to think before you speak.
"Director"
This is an exercise for a group of three with one person acting as the "Director" and the other two having a conversation about any topic they like. At anytime he or she wishes, the Director claps and whomever is speaking needs to revise what they just said. For example:
Julie: Hey Carrie, I'm really happy to hear about your new job.
Director: CLAP
Julie: Hey, Carrie, I'm really happy to hear about your new cat.
Carrie: Thanks. He's a handful but a lot of fun. We named him Max.
Director: CLAP
Carrie: We named him Polaris.
Director: CLAP
Carrie: We named him Wizard.
Julie: What a great name! What color is he?
Carrie: He's various shades of gray - ha ha how fitting for a librarian!
Director: CLAP
Carrie: How fitting for a fisky cat!
Director:CLAP
You get the idea. The idea behind this exercise is to practice thinking quickly on your feet and responding appropriately to changing demands. Think you know what that patron's excuse is going to be as they approach the circ desk with 15 kids books dripping in orange goo? Think again. Or better yet, don't think at all and just listen to them attentively without projecting your assumptions on to them.
The final project
So, our final project for the preconference was to get into groups of 7 and in 10 minutes we had to:
This is a whole group exercise that brings awareness to the communication pitfalls we all cause and are victims of each and every day.
Have the group stand in a circle. The lead facilitator holds up an imaginary ball in one hand and says, "In my hand I have a red ball and it will forever be red and it will always stay this shape and size. Before I throw my red ball to someone I have to make eye contact and say Red Ball. The recipient has to acknowledge the red ball by saying in response, Red Ball, thank you. Then that person makes eye contact with someone and repeats the process."
This goes on for a few minutes until the group gets the hang of it. Then the facilitator pauses the group and asks to see the red ball. Then he/she introduces a green ball in the exact same way they introduced the red ball and the game begins again but with two imaginary balls going throughout the circle. The facilitator keeps adding more and more imaginary items (yellow ball; polka dotted blue ball, etc) until it's pretty clear that the group has dropped some balls. At that point, the facilitator pauses the group and asks to see all of the imaginary objects. Chances are all items won't be accounted for. Then the facilitator debriefs the exercise and calls attention to what went wrong. Then we start all over again but then we add even crazier objects like a rabid squirrel, a crying baby, a freshly baked pie, a card catalog from 1972... You get the idea. Ideally, the 3rd round should end with all objects accounted for because participants (especially those in the sender role) will be more diligent about getting confirmation from the person who's on the receiving end of the item before they actually toss/pass the item to them.
"Thank you"
This is a pair (1:1) exercise where each participant takes turns having a typical conversation about any topic they wish but before each turn the participants must say, "Thank you," before saying their next sentence. For example:
Julie: Hey, how was the ALA conference?
Carrie: Thank you. It was great. I attended a lot of really great sessions. How about you?
Julie: Thank you. I went to several really great sessions. I think the TLC program was the best though.
Carrie: Thank you. I wanted to go to that one but I had a different one that I really had to attend instead.
Julie: Thank you. So, which one did you attend instead?
You get the idea. The notion is to slow down your conversation and always start on a positive and encouraging note because both of those components help to stimulate dialog.
This is a pair (1:1) exercise where each participant takes turns having a typical conversation about any topic they wish but each participant has to start his/her first sentence with which ever word was their partner's last word. For example:
Julie: Hey, how was your fourth of July?
Carrie: July fourth was crazy hectic cause I'm trying to pack and move and start a new job but all in all I had a great time with friends and family.
Julie: Family get-togethers are always memorable times.
Carrie: Times when we can eat good food and drink good drink and play a fun game or two!
Julie: Two of my cousins even showed up yesterday to celebrate the holiday!
You get the idea. The notion here is all about communication as a team/partner effort. You want to set your partner up (and vice versa) to succeed by giving them a gift in the form of an easy-to-use last word. So you really have to think before you speak.
This is an exercise for a group of three with one person acting as the "Director" and the other two having a conversation about any topic they like. At anytime he or she wishes, the Director claps and whomever is speaking needs to revise what they just said. For example:
Julie: Hey Carrie, I'm really happy to hear about your new job.
Director: CLAP
Julie: Hey, Carrie, I'm really happy to hear about your new cat.
Carrie: Thanks. He's a handful but a lot of fun. We named him Max.
Director: CLAP
Carrie: We named him Polaris.
Director: CLAP
Carrie: We named him Wizard.
Julie: What a great name! What color is he?
Carrie: He's various shades of gray - ha ha how fitting for a librarian!
Director: CLAP
Carrie: How fitting for a fisky cat!
Director:CLAP
You get the idea. The idea behind this exercise is to practice thinking quickly on your feet and responding appropriately to changing demands. Think you know what that patron's excuse is going to be as they approach the circ desk with 15 kids books dripping in orange goo? Think again. Or better yet, don't think at all and just listen to them attentively without projecting your assumptions on to them.
The final project
So, our final project for the preconference was to get into groups of 7 and in 10 minutes we had to:
- Think of a new invention and the problem it solves
- Give it a name
- Give it a catchphrase / tagline
- Give it a theme song
- Give it a celebrity endorser
- Design a 30 second commercial that the group would perform for everyone on stage
This seems like an exercise that could be done at any staff meeting or during a staff development event to get staff thinking about new services, programs, or products their libraries could offer. What do you think about all this? How might you or your library take advantage of all the the world of improv has to offer us? I know I will be looking into additional improv resources and potential improv workshops that can be provided to staff in the western counties.
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