Comments on: Brainstorming vs. Improv

By: Keith Tusing

Keith Tusing — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:43:49 +0000

It's a great analogy and the use of Improv will definately improve your Brainstorming sessions. Having a background in theatre, one of the benefits you quickly develop in Improv is an improved level of trust and camaraderie. Improv pushes the team to look at "What if" and "Yes, we can." Take a look at this article on the steps to Brainstorming article Looking up, Keith Keith Tusings last blog post..The 4 Câ€™s of Childrenâ€™s Ministry Leadership â€“ Part 2

By: Wendy Balman

Wendy Balman — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:32:02 +0000

Practically, brainstorming is great when looking for divergent, outside-the-box and creative ideas. Improv is great for taking ideas, any ideas, and deepening, expanding, and developing them in a supportive "yes, and" environment. The technique is called "explore and heighten." To put these two concepts together is a blast. 1. Identify the topic to be explored with the group. Make sure it is clear and understood by everyone.. 2. Create the space for creative thinking, invite people to have fun and be a little wacky, let go of "practical" and "realistic" for the time being 3. List all ideas, if people are stuck in a theme invite them to expand their focus and risk 4. Pick 3 ideas that the group would like to look at more deeply. 5. One at a time "explore and heighten" each of the ideas and see what emerges. Using the "yes, and" approach can be fun and challenging. 6. Create actionable steps that can be taken based on these explored ideas. 7. Set up a timeline and action plan with those who commit to the idea/project. Hope this was helpful, or at least sparks your own thoughts on the matter! Wendy Balmans last blog post..rules, and how to rule them

By: princessjes

princessjes — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:53:40 +0000

I love this... I attended a simulcast last week where I heard something similar about Goole... challenging to think that so often we take ideas and say "that's good, but..." What would our ministries look like if we truly allowed ourselves, our teams around us, even our volunteers to DREAM! Dream without bouandries... princessjess last blog post..THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!

By: Bill Seybolt

Bill Seybolt — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:44:45 +0000

I’ve been doing improv theater for over five years now. There are a ton of skills that translate really well into teams. Improv requires a huge amount of group-mind. The goal is to make all those around you look brilliant. No time for trying to be funny; that comes with it.

You should check out Improv Wisdom. Great book. http://www.improvwisdom.com/

By: Henry Zonio

Henry Zonio — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:43:45 +0000

I never thought of it that way! I like the analogy of it being an improv rather than brainstorming. Improv builds upon the ideas put out and there is more synergy and excitement and call for involvement. It's not necessarily about throwing out a new idea but about working with the idea at hand and putting new twists and turns on it... taking an idea and turning it around to see all the facets of it! Wow... this makes me more excited to get a planning meeting going!!! Henry Zonios last blog post..Pink? Blue? What to Do?