Pete’s Blog

Improvisation is a Way of Life

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Yes-and1Accountants and other business professionals are particularly great at linear thinking. Surprises are rarely welcome and creativity is often a foreign word. However, untapped potential can be harnessed when communication and problem solving skills combine with technical prowess. Many people think improvisation is just a fun expression to make people laugh; useless in the white collar profession. I have discovered the opposite to be true. There are many ways to incorporate improvisational strategies in your daily life and drastically improve your communication skills.

The Group Mind Concept

If you have ever watched an improvisation skit, you get the feeling that the actors are not holding to their own agenda. Everyone seems to bring ideas to the scene, creating a group mindset. And it works! Granted, the objective is to find the humor and provide entertainment for an onstage improv performance, but when the principles behind the scenes are practiced in the business setting, a higher level of communication takes the place of business as usual.

Second Nature

It is possible to deliver only the high level of technical skills needed to perform your duties, but is it enough these days? When the principles of improv (support, trust, respect, focus, listen, and adapt) are added to these technical skills, your networking and interpersonal communication will attract others to you. This combination generates a buzz of productivity that will in turn motivate you and your teammates to deliver more great work.

Whatever your professional goals may be, an understanding and application of the basic principles of improv can help get you reach them. Improv skills will set you apart from all the other guys (and gals) because these skills have practical uses in relationships with clients, colleagues, and team members.

Ready to make innovative changes in your career or workplace? Download a free chapter to Pete Margaritis’ new book, Improv is No Joke, or he can come to you as your next keynote speaker!

The Power of Productive Brainstorming

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

Creativity is the foundation of innovation. I look at creativity as the generation of ideas, the more ideas the better. In creativity workshops, I explain that we should not worry that an idea might be bad, because in most cases it will lead to a better idea. Regular brainstorming sessions will have a profound effect on your productivity and bottom line. It requires putting ourselves out there, but the value of collaboration and communication can propel your business relationships forward.

A Competitive Advantage

In an industry that has changed relatively little over time, it’s important to differentiate yourself from others in your role. The advantage is that few others are even considering how to move the industry forward. The key is in relationship building. Focusing on effective communication and client relationships is a clear way to provide value above and beyond your job function and regular brainstorming sessions will help drive that initiative forward.

Silence the Inner Critic

For creativity to surface, we need to silence that inner critic. You don’t feel particularly creative when you hear the critic harping about your stupid ideas. It’s important when brainstorming to let all ideas rise. You can narrow them down later. At this stage, don’t poison the pool of creativity. Kill the inner critic inside your head and set rules to prevent other team members’ inner critics from squelching the creative juices. You have heard it said there is no such thing as a bad idea. Even if someone might assign an idea in the ‘bad’ category, bad ideas lead to good ideas, no ideas lead to nothing.

Everyone should be allowed and encouraged to participate. The more input the better. Using the “Yes, and” concept can turn awkward input into positive results. Every idea has a gem inside of it.

Are you ready to move the course of the general conversation in the workplace away from the technical and toward more positive results? Download a free chapter from my new book, Improv Is No Joke to catch the vision of ongoing skills development or invite me to speak at your next event.

Building Successful Client Relationships

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

84GOP2OAKRFinancial skills are only part of what makes financial professionals successful. If you want the edge over your competitors (both internal and external), you are going to have to step outside the numbers box and lead the way into more positive results with better soft skills in the office.

What keeps your clientele coming back to procure your services?

There are a million and one ways to play with numbers and an unlimited supply of spreadsheet tools, but there is only one of each client. If you think hard skills are enough to satisfy your clients, co-workers, and managers, you may be selling yourself short. You can probably look in your own firm to see there is no shortage of financial ability. Hard skills are teachable assets that most professionals need just to get the job done.

Soft skills though, are what set you apart from being the person no one remembers – to become the one they tell a story about to their friends and coworkers. These are soft skills:

  • Positive attitude
  • Strong time management ability
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Adaptability
  • Being coachable
  • Confidence and approachability

These are what give your team the advantage and they can be cultivated with the principles of improvisation. It will transform your firm or company from delivering a product to serving up company growth with higher retention for staff and more satisfied clientele.

Brainstorming Sessions Mold Soft Skills into Action

I remember having them in school and drawing out on a brainstorming map all ideas pertaining to a theme and then having to pass that paper around to others in my group. As the bubbles filled up with more ideas, I had my first lesson in collaboration. Bring together your team to foster a session for collaboration. Use these sessions to cultivate the soft skills like positivity and adaptability.

Collaboration is what will set your firm above the number box and separate you from those still in it. Download a free chapter to my new book, Improv is No Joke, and get inspired to see positive results.

“Yes, and…”

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

photo-1429637119272-20043840c013We live in a “yes, but…” society. In a restaurant, you might hear the wait staff say, “Yes, but this is not my section,” or “Yes, but I’m getting ready to go on break.” Those two words are far from inspiring. In fact, they deflate and kill creativity.

I think we should say Yes, and and say it more often. Here’s why.

Continue the Conversation

When I decided to attend an improvisation workshop many years ago, I had no idea the life altering concept I would encounter; the concept of not denying the other person’s reality. In improv, you have to go with whatever the other person says. You can add to it, but you can’t undo it. Once you deny it, you kill the scene. I probably got on quite a few actors’ nerves until it finally clicked one session. Until I got the hang of the “Yes, and” concept, I wasn’t able to continue the conversation. This applies to the business world as well.

Turn Negativity into Positive Results

“Yes, and…” is all about finding a point of agreement and moving forward from there. It creates an environment of possibility instead of rejection. When you hear, “Yes, but…” it is deflating. Is it really a yes or is it a “No” in disguise? A “Yes, but…” will change the direction of a conversation by placing a big do not enter sign in the room. Too many of those and you’re left with nowhere to go.

An Example:

“I propose adding updated technology to all our employees to improve productivity.”

There are two ways to respond…

“Yes, that is a nice idea, but it’s not in the budget.”

OR…

“Yes, and we should explore the logistics of this in the next meeting.”

Which response continues the conversation by acknowledging the value others have on the team? Want to know more about continuing the conversation in your workplace?

The Business of Improv

From the desk of Peter Margaritis

business-man-1-1238401When you hear the word improvisation, I can probably guess what pops in your mind. Slapstick comedy with actors being goofy and quick witted for entertainment purposes. At the very least, you have been entertained by a few episodes of Drew Carey’s Whose Line is it Anyways? However, there is much to improv that goes beyond a humorous exchange.

Improvisation is about making a meaningful connection with those around you, developing good listening skills so that you can understand where others are coming from, and adapting to the situation by communicating effectively to achieve mutual success.

One major lesson that I’ve learned through improvisational techniques is that it’s okay to make mistakes, learn from them, and just keep moving forward. I have used improvisation in various aspects of my life to tackle business challenges, to deal with health issues, and to learn to be a better father and husband.

Improv teaches you about assessing the needs of a particular situation and addressing any issue that arises. To be good at improv, you need to understand your strengths and weaknesses and be able to operate in confusing situations. By listening and focusing, you can cut through that chaos and find clarity. And you have to be willing to take risks. You need to avail yourself to opportunities and avoid making excuses why things won’t work out.

Despite most improvisation misperceptions, the practical skills used are not about disorder or stalling. In order to adapt to the situation for a more positive result, the essential skills for improv can be implemented to enhance leadership quality and build up the entire team. Clients, colleagues, and coworkers are naturally drawn to leaders that employ these strategies and make them feel valued.

Are you ready to see a more positive outcome in your personal and professional life?   Download a free chapter of my new book, Improv is No Joke or invite me to present as your next keynote speaker!