What improv can teach you about risk-taking | Sehar Manji | TEDxSherbrooke Street West

Key Concepts

Improv: Unscripted play, saying "yes and" to build on ideas.
Psychological Safety: A space where failure is expected and not punished.
Yes And: A technique in improv to accept and build upon an offer.
Yes But: A technique in improv that introduces resistance.
No But: A technique in improv that shuts down the offer.
Mind-Body Connection: The ability of the brain and body to respond to imagined scenarios as if they are real.
Mental Imagery: Using visualization to prepare for situations.
Rehearsing Courage: Using improv to simulate risk and train creative flexibility.

Improv as Unscripted Play

The speaker begins by highlighting the lack of safe spaces for trial and error in real life. She introduces improv as a form of unscripted play that provides such a space. Improv starts with nothing, a blank slate, eliminating the pressure to get things "right." The core principle is "yes and," which involves accepting and building upon whatever is presented.

Demonstrations of Improv Techniques

The speaker conducts three improv exercises with a volunteer named Jimmy to illustrate the impact of different approaches:

Yes And: The first exercise uses the "yes and" technique. The speaker and Jimmy create a story together, each line starting with "yes and." The story involves adopting a dying puppy, a car accident, and the puppy saving Jimmy from fear and depression. The speaker notes that this technique allows the story to flow beautifully.
Yes But: The second exercise uses "yes but." The story involves a vacation where Jimmy forgets his passport but bribes airport security. The speaker points out that "yes but" creates friction and resistance, making the flow less smooth than "yes and."
No But: The third exercise uses "no but." The story involves trying a new restaurant, but Jimmy keeps finding reasons to avoid it. The speaker emphasizes that "no but" shuts down the conversation and prevents any progress.

Analysis of Improv Techniques

The speaker analyzes the three techniques, explaining that "yes and" creates momentum, "yes but" creates resistance, and "no but" leads to a complete shutdown. She notes that many people are "yes butters" and "no butters" in real life as a way to protect themselves and maintain control. This resistance stems from a fear of rejection and a belief that one's own ideas are superior.

The Power of "Yes And"

The speaker argues that when people expect support and embrace, they give more generously and stop editing themselves. They are more likely to take risks and share their best ideas. She cites Canada's high early-stage entrepreneurship rate (18.2%) as an example, suggesting that it is due to the support and resources available to entrepreneurs. She also mentions a 2018 study that found people are more likely to make a move when they sense interest from others.

Personal Transformation Through Improv

The speaker shares her personal experience of being shy and introverted. She explains that improv provided her with a safe space to experiment, make mistakes, and fail. This allowed her to become bolder and more confident. She emphasizes that improv is not about being funny or smart, but about being present and responsive.

Mind-Body Connection and Mental Imagery

The speaker leads the audience through a guided visualization exercise involving holding a mug of hot beverage. She explains that this demonstrates the power of the mind-body connection, where the brain and body respond to imagined scenarios as if they are real. She mentions that athletes use mental imagery to prepare for peak performance, citing Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps as an example. A study published last year showed that vivid mental imagery can activate the same neural pathways as actually performing the task.

Improv as Skill Building

The speaker argues that improv is not just silly fun, but a serious skill-building activity. It strengthens lateral and critical thinking, allowing people to imagine and respond to unreal situations. By exploring "what ifs," improv keeps people in touch with their creative problem-solving abilities. It allows them to rehearse courage, simulate risk, and train creative flexibility.

Conclusion

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the transformative power of play. She shares that improv has given her a tangible and valuable skill set that she can use in various aspects of her life. She encourages the audience to embrace play and open themselves up to new experiences and possibilities. She shares that getting laid off from her job led to her giving a TEDx talk. She didn't know what was next, but she was open to it.

Key Takeaways

Improv provides a safe space for trial and error, fostering creativity and risk-taking.
The "yes and" technique is a powerful tool for building momentum and collaboration.
Overcoming the fear of rejection and embracing support can lead to personal and professional growth.
Improv strengthens the mind-body connection and enhances problem-solving skills.
Play is essential for unlocking new experiences and potential.