How to Improve Your Communication Skills Using Improv with Meridith Grundei

Episode 69! Many people associate improv with being funny. It’s so much more than that, it can be an important part of effective communication for everyday work and life in general. That’s what I discuss in this episode with my guest, Meridith Grundei. Meridith is a public speaking and presentation skills coach who works with individuals and organizations in healthcare and tech so they can be more confident and credible speakers who will educate and inspire any room. The funny does come out during improvised conversations, but it comes from a place of truth. When you try too hard to be funny you probably will fail. It’s about being in the moment, being present and aware of what’s going on around you and responding honestly to carry your conversation forward. This includes noticing tone of voice, body language and other nonverbal cues. Improv in Your Daily Life One place to start using improv is by listening more and talking less. Create a reminder by writing “Today I’m going to listen more than I speak” on a post it note where you will see it throughout the day as a reminder. Another great way to embrace improv is by developing a “Yes… and” mindset. It’s important to note that it’s not necessarily saying “Yes… and” to everything that you hear. It’s about reflecting back what you heard the other person say. When you do that you’re acknowledging them and validating them as a person. They feel heard. You might not have the exact same point of view; but by acknowledging the other person you might find a common ground to discuss instead of creating a debate. In this episode we also discuss: How improv can help reduce negative self-talk How to use improv to bounce back from failure Why supporting other people and making them look good is an important improv philosophy How improv can improve your presentation skills …and more golden nuggets of advice! You can get my book “Idea Climbing: How to Create a Support System for Your Next Big Idea” here!         About the Guest               Meridith Grundei is an award-winning theatre director, producer, and former Second City improv teacher, who recognized the similarities between performing for audiences on stage every night and presenting to clients/colleagues every day, but the latter didn’t have the right tools to bring their stories to life. So she decided to do something about it. 11 Years and some change later, Grundei Coaching has helped thousands of individuals and corporations craft engaging presentations and authentic stories to achieve career growth and success. Connect with Meridith on LinkedIn here. Learn more about Meridith’s coaching practice here.