We all know what a fantastic tool improv can be for boosting confidence and connections in the workplace. The best way to do this for yourself is through a 60-90 minute corporate improv workshop from an expert trainer. But when you don't have the time for that, these 3 easy improv games for team building can be taught with just a little expertise. These improv exercises for business are fast too, so that you can drop them in for a fast boost at the start of a meeting, or to conclude the day!
1. Three Things One player names any kind of category: "three ale brands", "three famous Italians","three ways you could murder someone using a shoe," etc., before calling on someone to answer. The answering player needs to name three things as fast as possible; it is more important to just say whatever comes into your head than to be realistic!
Once the answering participant has come up with three things, they should come up with a new category before calling on someone else to reply.
EXAMPLE ROHAN: "Three...dreadful Christmas presents. Thea!"
THEA: "Um...Socks. A bag of bread. A panda bear. OK...three areas you've been this past year. Naomi!"
2. What's In The Box? One player takes the spotlight every round. Someone else begins the game by asking this player "What's in the box?"; the participant in the spotlight may reply to the question however they like, simply by naming an object (which doesn't need to be something that may fit in a box!) . Every other player can then come up with follow-up questions that the player in the spotlight should respond to as speedily and simply as possible.
This isn't a guessing game -- the player in the spotlight should not attempt to be mysterious. They only need to describe the thing in escalating detail, in reaction to each question. And they do not have to be smart, funny, or unique, possibly -- just as relaxed and confident as they can.
EXAMPLE CHLOË:"What's in the box?"
MAXWELL:"A roll of tape."
BRIANNE:"What color is it?"
MAXWELL: "Grey."
RAOUL:"What was it most recently used for?"
MAXWELL: "Repairing a bicycle."
3. Just A Minute One player takes centre stage, to provide a confident and eloquent lecture on a unusual topic devised by the host. They do not need to be specialists; in fact, they don't even have to make sense! They simply need to maintain the appearance of expertise, by talking without hesitating, repeating themselves, or going off-topic. The host times the speech; if the participant can keep it up for a complete minute, they win a point! However, if another participant spots them making a mistake, they may buzz in and announce what mistake was made (hesitation, repetition, or deviation). If the host decrees this challenge to be correct, the challenger takes over to talk on the same topic for the rest of the 60 seconds.
EXAMPLE HOST:"OK, Shreya, you have one minute to speak on the topic of cutlery trays, beginning from now!"
SHREYA:"Cutlery trays may seem like an essential part of any modern kitchen, but in fact they were just introduced in 1957. Previously, people would throw all their cutlery into a big pile in a drawer. As it came time for dinner, folks would have to pick out forks from this pile randomly..."
DEREK: "Buzz! Repetition of the word ‘pile'!"
HOST: Correct, the word 'pile' has been repeated. That means that you, Derek, now have 47 seconds to talk on the subject of cutlery trays, starting from now!"
4. Hivemind Corporate Improv Training For more adventurous teams, Hivemind provides improv training for business that will get your team laughing together and talking meaningfully during these lonely days. Our corporate improv workshops can be delivered in 60-90 minutes.
Our improv exercises for business have been finely honed by more than ten years' experience providing improv games for team building; and currently accessible via an internet meeting for just 1/2 our typical cost. Find out more about improv for corporations, or email hello[at]hivemindimprov.com!
