We all know what a great tool improv can be for boosting energy and relationships in the workplace. The very best way to do this for yourself is through a 60-90 minute corporate improv workshop from a professional trainer. But when you don't have enough time for that, these 3 simple improv games for team building can be taught with just a little experience. All these improv exercises for business are quick also, so that you may drop them in for a quick increase at the beginning of a meeting, or even to conclude a working day!
1. Three Things One participant names any sort of category: "three ale brands", "three famous Spaniards","three ways you can murder someone with a shoe," etc., before calling on someone to reply. The answering participant must name three things as fast as possible; it's more important to just say whatever comes into your mind than to be true!
After the answering participant has come up with three things, they must devise a new category before calling on someone else to answer.
EXAMPLE ROHAN: "Three...terrible birthday presents. Thea!"
THEA: "Um...Socks. A bag of flour. A panda bear. OK...three areas you have been this year. Naomi!"
2. What's In The Box? One participant takes the spotlight every round. Someone else begins the game by asking this player "What's in the box?"; the player in the spotlight may reply to the question however they like, by simply naming an object (which does not need to be something which can fit in a box!) . Every other player can then ask follow-up questions that the player in the spotlight should answer as quickly and simply as they can.
This is not a guessing game -- the player in the spotlight shouldn't attempt to be cryptic. They only need to explain the thing in escalating detail, in response to every question. Plus they don't need to be clever, funny, or unique, either -- just as relaxed and confident as possible.
EXAMPLE CHLOË:"What's in the box?"
MAXWELL:"A roll of tape."
BRIANNE:"What colour is it?"
MAXWELL: "Black."
RAOUL:"What was it most recently used for?"
MAXWELL: "Repairing a bicycle."
3. Just A Minute One player takes centre stage, to deliver a confident and eloquent lecture on a strange topic devised by the host. They do not have to be specialists; in fact, they do not even have to make sense! They simply need to maintain the appearance of expertise, by speaking without hesitating, repeating themselves, or going off-topic. The host times the speech; if the speaker can keep it up for a complete 60 seconds, they win a point! However, if another participant spots them making a mistake, then they may buzz in and shout out what error was made (hesitation, repetition, or deviation). If the host rules this challenge to be right, the challenger takes over to present on the same topic for the rest of the 60 seconds.
EXAMPLE HOST:"OK, Shreya, you've got one minute to speak on the subject of cutlery trays, beginning from now!"
SHREYA:"Cutlery trays may look like an essential part of any modern kitchen, but in fact they were just introduced in 1957. Previously, people used to throw all their cutlery into a big pile in a drawer. As it came time for dinner, folks would need to pick out forks from this pile at random..."
DEREK: "Buzz! Repetition of the word ‘pile'!"
HOST: Correct, the word 'pile' has been repeated. That means that you, Derek, now have 48 seconds to talk on the topic of cutlery trays, starting from now!"
4. Hivemind Corporate Improv Training For more adventuresome teams, Hivemind delivers improv training for business that will get your group laughing together and connecting meaningfully through these lonely days. Our corporate improv workshops can be delivered in 60-90 minutes.
Our improv exercises for business have been fine-tuned by over ten years' experience supplying 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!
