We all know what a fantastic tool improv can be for boosting morale 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 enough time for that, these 3 easy improv games for team building can be introduced with only a little expertise. All these improv exercises for business are fast also, so that you can drop them in for a fast boost at the beginning of a meeting, or even to conclude a working day!
1. Three Things One player names any kind of category: "three beer labels", "three well-known Italians","three different ways you can murder someone using a shoe," etc., before calling on someone to answer. The answering participant needs to name three things as quickly as possible; it's more important to just say whatever comes into your mind than to be realistic!
After 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 birthday presents. Thea!"
THEA: "Um...Socks. A bag of flour. A panda bear. OK...three places you have been this past year. Naomi!"
2. What's In The Box? One participant takes the spotlight each round. Someone else begins the game by asking this player "What's in the box?"; the player in the spotlight can reply to the question however they like, simply by naming an object (which doesn't have to be something that can fit in a box!) . Any other player can then come up with follow-up questions that the participant in the spotlight should respond to as fast and simply as they can.
This isn't a guessing game -- the player in the spotlight shouldn't try to be cryptic. They only need to explain the object in escalating detail, in response to every question. And they do not need to be smart, witty, or original, either -- just as relaxed and confident as they can.
EXAMPLE CHLOË:"What's in the box?"
MAXWELL:"Tape."
BRIANNE:"What colour is it?"
MAXWELL: "Green."
RAOUL:"What was it most recently used for?"
MAXWELL: "Fixing a bicycle."
3. Just A Minute One participant takes the spotlight, to provide a confident and fluent speech on a unusual topic devised by the host. They do not need to be specialists; in fact, they do not even need to make sense! They simply need to maintain the appearance of expertise, by speaking without hesitating, repeating themselves, or getting off-topic. The host times the lecture; if the speaker can keep talking for a full 60 seconds, they win a point! However, if another player spots them making a mistake, then they can buzz in and shout out what mistake was made (hesitation, repetition, or deviation). If the host decrees this challenge to be correct, the challenger takes over to speak on precisely the same topic for the remainder of the minute.
EXAMPLE HOST:"OK, Shreya, you've got one minute to speak on the subject of cutlery trays, starting from now!"
SHREYA:"Cutlery trays may look like an important part of any modern kitchen, but in fact they were only introduced in 1957. Before then, people used to throw all their cutlery into one big pile in a drawer. When 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 46 seconds to talk on the subject of cutlery trays, starting from now!"
4. Hivemind Corporate Improv Training For more adventurous teams, Hivemind delivers improv training for business that can get your group laughing together and talking meaningfully during these lonely times. Our corporate improv workshops can be delivered in 60-90 minutes.
Our improv exercises for business have been fine-tuned by more than ten years' experience providing improv games for team building; and currently accessible via an online meeting for only 1/2 our usual cost. Find out more about improv for corporations, or email hello[at]hivemindimprov.com!
