We all know what a great tool improv can be for boosting confidence and connections in the workplace. The very best way to do this for yourself is via a 60-90 minute corporate improv workshop by a professional trainer. However, when you do not have enough time for that, these three simple improv games for team building can be introduced with just a little expertise. These improv exercises for business are fast too, so that you may drop them in for a quick boost at the start of a meeting, or to wrap up a working day!
1. Three Things One player names any sort of category: "three lager brands", "three famous Spaniards","three different ways you could murder someone using a shoe," etc., before calling on someone to reply. The answering player 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!
Once the answering player has come up with three things, they must devise a new category before calling on someone else to reply.
EXAMPLE ROHAN: "Three...dreadful Christmas gifts. Thea!"
THEA: "Um...Socks. A bag of bread. A panda bear. OK...three places you've been this past year. Naomi!"
2. What's In The Box? One participant has the spotlight every round. Someone else begins the game by asking this participant "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 which may fit in a box!) . Every other player can then ask follow-up questions which the participant in the spotlight must reply as quickly and simply as they can.
This is not a guessing game -- the player in the spotlight shouldn't try to be mysterious. They only need to explain the thing in increasing detail, in response to each question. And they don't need to be clever, funny, or unique, possibly -- just as relaxed and confident as possible.
EXAMPLE CHLOË:"What's in the box?"
MAXWELL:"Tape."
BRIANNE:"What colour is it?"
MAXWELL: "Black."
RAOUL:"What was it most recently used for?"
MAXWELL: "Repairing a bike."
3. Just A Minute One player takes the spotlight, to provide a confident and eloquent lecture on a bizarre subject devised by the host. They don't need to be experts; in fact, they don't even have to make sense! They just need to maintain the façade of expertise, by speaking without hesitating, repeating themselves, or getting off-topic. The host times the lecture; if the participant can keep it up for a full minute, they win a point! But 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 present on the same topic for the rest of the 60 seconds.
EXAMPLE HOST:"OK, Shreya, you've got one minute to talk on the topic of cutlery trays, starting 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 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 48 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 which will get your team laughing together and talking meaningfully through these lonely days. Our corporate improv workshops can be delivered in 60-90 minutes.
Our improv exercises for business have been finely honed by over ten years' experience supplying improv games for team building; and currently available via an online meeting for just 1/2 our usual cost. Learn more about improv for corporations, or email hello[at]hivemindimprov.com!
