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One Word Suggestion - Improv Inspiration

One Word Suggestion - Improv Inspiration

Written by: Eran Thomson
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 Every week Eran Thomson takes one word suggested by you and uses it as a leaping off point to explore the benefits of improv and how they can help you perform better in both your personal and professional life. Produced by PowerProv (fka LMA Professional Development), this thought-provoking three-minute podcast is, in a word: inspiring.

onewordsuggestion.substack.comEran Thomson Economics Management Management & Leadership Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • One Word Suggestion: Dolphins

    One Word Suggestion: Dolphins
    Sep 19 2021
    Welcome to One Word SuggestionHosted by: Eran ThomsonThis week's word is: Dolphins* Listen on Google Podcasts | Apple Podcasts* Suggest a word* Follow on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter* Read on Medium* Learn more at Powerprov* Connect with Eran: Personal Website | Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin* Book a workshopLearn more:PowerProvPowerProv Improv Training for Business Teams powerprov.com.auLaugh-Masters AcademyAustralia's Home of Improv and Sketch Comedylaugh-masters.com.auShow notes:Links: * Eran Thomson on The Light Inside podcast with Jeffrey BeseckerThis podcast is intentionally short and sweet, so don't expect too much from the notes. We will, of course, share links and details of things discussed in individual episodes as appropriate - and that's about it. The main thing to know is every episode of this show starts with a one-word suggestion, and there's no reason the next one couldn’t come from you.As long as its not "dildo." Transcript:Dolphins are widely agreed to be one of the most intelligent species on the planet. Anyone who's seen the TV show "Flipper" knows that their level of individual intellect - and sense of humor - is high.They have been known to save the lives of other animals and stranded swimmers, they know how to use shells and sea sponges as tools, and they've even run secret missions for the US Navy.But part of what makes dolphins so super smart is they almost always choose to hang out in pods. Like experienced improvisers, they understand that together they have a better chance of thriving and surviving.By having each other's backs (or dorsal fins as the case may be) and supporting each other in their own undersea world.As a group, they can find more fish, warn each other about predators in nearby waters, and when necessary, find safe harbor.Most of the time when we see dolphins they're surfing waves with glee. Or enjoying a feeding frenzy amongst a pool of less fortunate fish. Or showing strong leadership skills at the bow of a boat.Despite the ever-increasing number of threats to their existence like plastics, petroleum, JetSkis, ghost nets, and hungry sharks, they continually play to the top of their intelligence.Above the sea, we humans have our own challenges. So what can we learn from Dolphins?We're better when we work together - good communication and collaboration skills are critical.We're better when we learn together - sharing knowledge, experience and expertise without ego is key.We're better when we play together - unstructured adult playtime is critical to our happiness and success.And if we get good at these things, we'll thrive together - by supporting each other's actions, choices, and ideas.The life of a dolphin may look playful and carefree, but under the waves, they tackle daily challenges just like we do. But by arguably having an improvisational ensemble mindset they vastly increase their odds of survival and success as a species.Predators and problems will always be round, but by using their collaborative powers dolphins are able to navigate through the sea of life and arrive in their happy place.And so can you.Thanks for all the fish.---The ideas, observations, and perspectives shared here are mine alone. I’d love to hear yours in the comments, or better yet in a review.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onewordsuggestion.substack.com
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    4 mins
  • One Word Suggestion: Candy

    One Word Suggestion: Candy
    Sep 12 2021
    Welcome to One Word SuggestionHosted by: Eran ThomsonThis week's word is: Candy* Listen on Google Podcasts | Apple Podcasts* Suggest a word* Follow on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter* Read on Medium* Learn more at Powerprov* Connect with Eran: Personal Website | Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin* Book a workshopLearn more:PowerProvPowerProv Improv Training for Business Teams powerprov.com.auLaugh-Masters AcademyAustralia's Home of Improv and Sketch Comedylaugh-masters.com.auShow notes:This podcast is intentionally short and sweet, so don't expect too much from the notes. We will, of course, share links and details of things discussed in individual episodes as appropriate - and that's about it. The main thing to know is every episode of this show starts with a one-word suggestion, and there's no reason the next one couldn't come from you.As long as it’s not "dildo." Transcript:When it comes to candy, things can go from good to gross real fast.Halloween is proof of this. And some of us (ahem) have to learn the same lesson every year. Too much of a sweet thing corrupts.I'll buy an entire bag of mini Snickers and demolish the entire thing before any of the kids I bought it for come around in costume.I don't feel bad for them. They got bag loads of candy. I feel bad for me. Because now I have to do something good and healthy, fast, like yoga or hitting the gym to offset the inevitable belly bulge.The challenge is to not stop off at the store and get a new bag on the way home.Because one of the things I love the most about the candy aisle is the diversity of choice. So many flavours, coatings, crunches, nuts, fillings, shapes, sizes, colours. It can be overwhelming to see them all sitting there. Sometimes you know exactly what you're looking for, other times making a choice can be hard.One thing is for sure, just as there are endless types of candy, they are also endless types of people who love it. And love it differently. We all have different tastes formed by our unique cultural experiences and differences.You love Violet Crunch? I think it tastes like Styrofoam. I like Reese's peanut butter cups. You might think they taste like waxy sludge. But there are enough people who like them both to keep them stocked on shelves around the world.Because every candy bar has something unique to offer the world. Just like the people who consume them.The trick is to get good at appreciating and understanding the differences. (Almost Joy's got nuts, Mounds don't.) Then you can start to make informed choices. But until you've tried all the flavours, you can't assume you know or understand what each candy is all about.The same goes for the people you work with every day. Sure some of them might be sweet and easy to enjoy spending time with. And others might be a bit sour and less to your liking, but they all have something unique to offer.This is never more clear to me than in every single improv class ever. Without fail, every class starts with strangers and ends with best friends. Because improv creates a safe space where people can reveal their authentic selves. And authenticity is the sweetest of all human traits.So look for the sweetness in yourself and each other. And if you need help, an improv workshop can create a safe space where you and all your staff can discover, appreciate, and enjoy all the different personalities in your office. And just about everywhere else.Except maybe the dentist.---The ideas, observations, and perspectives shared here are mine alone. I’d love to hear yours in the comments, or better yet in a review.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onewordsuggestion.substack.com
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    4 mins
  • One Word Suggestion: Taxes

    One Word Suggestion: Taxes
    Sep 5 2021
    Welcome to One Word SuggestionHosted by: Eran ThomsonThis week's word is: Taxes* Listen on Google Podcasts | Apple Podcasts* Suggest a word* Follow on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter* Read on Medium* Learn more at Powerprov* Connect with Eran: Personal Website | Twitter | Instagram | Linkedin* Book a workshopLearn more:PowerProvPowerProv Improv Training for Business Teams powerprov.com.auLaugh-Masters AcademyAustralia's Home of Improv and Sketch Comedylaugh-masters.com.auShow notes:Links:* https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2019/05/09/the-cost-of-turnover-can-kill-your-business-and-make-things-less-fun/?sh=487530067943This podcast is intentionally short and sweet, so don't expect too much from the notes. We will, of course, share links and details of things discussed in individual episodes as appropriate - and that's about it. The main thing to know is every episode of this show starts with a one-word suggestion, and there's no reason the next one couldn’t come from you.As long as its not "dildo." Transcript:The wealthiest man in the world, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, allegedly paid zero tax in 2020.But rich people don't pay less tax because they're cheaters. They pay less because they know how to play the game.Or at least their accountants do. Navigating the ever-changing and complicated world of tax law is a full-time job. So if you've got the money, it makes sense to hire someone to help you keep more of it, legallyWhether this is fair is another story. The point is, you have to know the rules before you can take advantage of them.In business this applies to profit as well as to your most valuable asset of all, people.The basic rules of human behavior around communication, collaboration, teamwork, listening, and building on each other's ideas, can be almost as complicated as tax law.But once you have a clear understanding of how things can work, unforetold riches abound.And one of the best ways to grow your people is to train them in the art of improvisation. Hiring an improv trainer is like hiring a good accountant. The best ones will help you make more, save more and keep more of what (or who) you already have.These days unhappy staff are less likely to revolt and more likely to quit. And when they go your IP goes out the door with them, no matter how good an NDA they may have signed.And the cost to replace them is high, as much as 33% of their salary on average, and over 150% in some C-suite instances.Advertising, recruiting, interviewing, screening, hiring, onboarding, and training add up.But the cultural cost can be even higher. Whenever someone leaves, others take time to ask why. And if things start to snowball, it can be disastrous.The bottom line is improv training can improve your bottom line. Especially when everyone from the top down participates.And it will make work more fun for everyone. Yes, I know "fun" may not be your main objective, but happy employees are more healthy, productive, creative, and collaborative.The labor market is tight and employee retention has never been more important. Building a fun and functional workplace will help attract talent, keep talent, and reduce your productivity tax.Navigating the ever-changing and complicated world of humans, especially humans that work together is a full-time job. So if you've got the money, it makes sense to hire someone to help you keep more of it, legally.There are lots of companies who claim their business workshops are the best. But if you want real results you can see on your balance sheet, and you don't want to set your company up as a "double Irish with a Dutch sandwich," PowerProv is a great place to start.---The ideas, observations, and perspectives shared here are mine alone. I’d love to hear yours in the comments, or better yet in a review.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit onewordsuggestion.substack.com
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    5 mins
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