Tag Archives: safety

Einfuhlung – Asia Kate Dillon neck tattoo inspires study in Empathy

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Stay with me for a second…

Image result for asia kate dillon neck tattoo

In a recent Q&A, while I was babbling after an Improv field trip show for K12 students, Ivana Mendez jokingly said, “Uh oh, Walter’s having another coming to Jesus moment.”

That side bar has stuck with me since. Ivana was so spot on. In so many ways, I have turned Improv into my religion.. I live, eat and breathe Improvisation on and off stage performing shows, teaching workshops and as producer/booker for the company.

It is the teaching of comedy that brings this out the most. I have seen Improv turn K12 students and corporate team into better people.

I have been lucky to be able to make folks laugh for 16 years. In 1000s of shows and classes/workshops I have been a witness to the transformative power of Laughter.

Years ago I learned – thru research – how studies at John Hopkins, Stanford and others prove that Laughter  truly is the best medicine. Laughter decreases stress and blood pressure. Laughing itself is a cardio workout. And for building teams, laughter levels the walls of fear and hate, while building trust. Quite simply, as I say in many workshops, it is impossible to have hate and fear in your heart when engaging in joyous laughter.

Not until I started understanding the concept of Psychological Safety, from the Google Study Project Aristotle (released in 2015), did I realize how important our work really is.

I started watching Billions when I was cast on the show this spring. You can see me on episode 4.19 in May 2019. Laurice and I immediately started binging Seasons one to three. We are now up to date, hooked and live tweeting Sunday nights.

The second Asia Kate Dillon made her appearance, they has (or they have – still educating self) been a profound interest to me – or should I say Taylor’s introduction of self “My pronouns are They, them and their.”

Even as an artist who has known many LGBTQ individuals, I was totally ignorant to this pronoun concept. Now this SHOWTIME 60-minute dramedy has a very prominent character of substantial wealth and power representing non-binary. This blows open the door to all in so many ways. Not only are we accepting the “new normal” the new normal is truly EVERYONE and ANYONE can achieve the dream regardless of who you are, what you look like, where you come from etc etc etc. Taylor is “judged” by side eyes in the office, but their overwhelming genius and ambition over comes all – almost (4th season will determine that, perhaps? Are you  #TEAMAXE or #TEAMTAYLOR)

Non-binary was  also a term I had never heard before watching Billion. I have since engaged in a few conversations on the subject. I am no expert but I have a better understanding and a deeper curiosity.

I watched a YouTube clip of their appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Asia’s discussion of their neck tattoo started me thinking.

I call it Improv Comedy Class but Empathy is what I teach.  I discuss psychological safety, listening, focus etc etc etc But what I really teach – or try to teach – is Empathy. And one could break it down to the success stories being the ones I inspired to be more empathic.

In Asia’s interview, they mentioned the history of empathy from the German word, Einfuhlung.

I had no idea EMPATHY was such a young concept in the history of the world. I learned about PATHOS in the 4th grade during a gifted and talent summit of sorts. ETHOS, LOGOS & PATHOS was the workshop. The course was mostly in ration to writing. At the time, being a more math/science guy, I locked onto LOGOS. At times I pondered, was it a guy thing.

****A short history of empathy****

from https://www.karlamclaren.com/2013/01/10/einfuhlung-and-empathy/

Our current Western idea of empathy arises from two places. In English, the word empathy comes from the Greek root pathos, which means emotion, feeling, suffering, or pity (it also comes from a German word, and we’ll explore that below). The English words empathy and sympathy are used interchangeably to refer to the sharing of (or knowledge of) emotions, while apathy relates to lack of emotions, and antipathy relates to antagonistic emotions.

 – I now have a better understanding why I hate APATHY so much –

The German word Einfühlung (pronounced eín-fhoo-loong), which means “in-feeling” or “feeling into” – and first appeared (in print) in German philosopher Robert Vischer’s 1873 Ph.D. dissertation on aesthetics. Vischer used the word to explore the human capacity to enter into a piece of art or literature and feel the emotions that the artist had worked to represent – or to imbue a piece of art (or any object) with relevant emotions.

The last The English word empathy was coined in 1909 as a translation of Einfühlung

THE NEW WORLD

EMPATHY itself is not new. Just word and the study. EMPATHY is what has made great leaders and artists since the dawn of human existence. What is new is teaching EMPATHY.

Concepts like “Emothional IQ” were just getting traction when I was in school (just a few years ago).

There are 1000s of books and lectures out there talking about concepts in team, leadership, government, society, education, child rearing, psychology etc etc etc.

What I love about Improv, at least in the way we teach it, I see the realization of what 1000s of others merely talk about. Simply playing games in a safe space -allowing the walls to crumble and let others in – student discover for them selves what others merely discuss in concept.

Improv teaches empathy. We embody listening and focus into the muscle memory and subconscious mind.

I don’t use that word. I say we are learning YES AND…  I say we are learning skills that make us a better team, better leaders, better sales people, better customer service staff…

Break it all down we are learning Empathy.

I was a smart kid. I turned away form academics and to the arts over 25 years ago. I became a working actor shortly after. I formerly started into  comedy nearly 17 years ago. Working with so dozens Improv artists, performing in front of 1000s of audiences and teaching 1000s classes/workshops has made me a far better person, actor and teacher.

THAT MOMENT

When I teach I notice a certain thing. There is that moment when  student finally lets the walls down. They finally get it. They don’t necessarily feel the difference yet. But I can see the difference in their work. They have let the fear go and started to experience life anew.

In some I see that moment happen in just five minutes. Others it takes longer. In a rare few it saddens me when I do not see it all. Ego and insecurity are running so deep they cannot let go.

When IT happens, that is when I have my “Coming to Jesus moment” as Ivana calls it. I have it again when that student has their first performance and their parents see the difference. I have it every time that student surpasses all expectation, including my own. And I have it when I babble, hoping to inspire IT (not the clown) as I was doing when Ivana called me out.

It is a wonderful thing, because I truly believe it is not something I can necessarily teach. I believe it is something that lives in ALL of us. I believe it is a thing that society – in an effort to find order out of chaos – beats out of us. (many “experts” say society beats creativity our of kids by the 4th grade). And I believe I can only hope to inspire its discovery.

Until now I had not defined what “IT” is, what that moment is.

I think now “IT” is empathy.

It IS a quasi religious experience for me. It is a passion, joy and hope to make the world a better place one IT moment at a time.

Every time I see the walls of hate and fear wash away – replaced by curiosity and creativity – I quite literally have happy tears. I am washed over by emotion of my own.

Lately, thanks to amazing colleagues and students I have been crying almost daily.

Crap, I’m tearing up now…..

NO REGRETS!!!!

HAPPY EASTER, PASSOVER or what ever you celebrate this morning.

PS REMEMBER MY #1 RULE

HAVE FUN but never ant another’s expense!

AND your homework…. Start every day with as smile!

Wait for the world to make you smile and you will be disappointed every time.

Try going into a room with a smile. A real genuine smile. Most will smile back and make you feel GREAT!

Ignore that one person in the dark shadows of the corner that judges you

(READ NEXT LINE In the voice of a vile hag)

WHY ARE THEY SMILING

That person will judge you no matter what you do so focus on those that smile back and feed the best in you!

Psychological Safety: Improv Team Building in Sync with Google Finding

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Psychological Safety: Improv Team Building in Sync with Google Finding

We are ONE team and we need all to support and contribute to succeed.

I was watching CNN for the latest political and world news in order to be knowledgeable for upcoming comedy show. I love humor based on the struggles our world faces. For me, and many audience members, it is therapy. This is how I deal with Donald Trump and the rest of the world that often appears to be spiraling into a dark abyss. Comedy allows me to remain an optimist.

Watching Fareed Zakaria GPS, I stumbled across findings of a 4-year Google Study into what makes a good team. The segment highlighted research that Julia Rozovsky and Google has conducted called Project Aristotle and profiled in Charles Duhigg’s book Smarter, Faster, Better.

As they discussed the concept of “Psychological Safety” my mind immediately jumped to our own work with Corporate Teams.

As Julia Rozovsky reports, the actual members on the team mean little to overall productivity. There was no formula for a certain type of skill sets or personalities. The key to a successful team was Psychological Safety.

teams

ACHIEVING PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY through “YES! AND…”

Rule #1 in Improv is “YES! And…” This governs everything we do. We strive to create a safe supportive environment so that all team members feel free to contribute.

When I teach team building workshops I say, “My rule #1 is to have fun, but never at anyone else’s expense.” I want my students to have fun and forget about ego and insecurity. In Improv it amazes me, and many of my clients, how quickly kids, teens and adults thrive in my classes the second walls of fear and judgement drop. Once a student let’s go, they start having fun, and creativity prospers.

Imagine a work group where every member felt comfortable to share. Every idea is a good idea. Maybe some ideas don’t make it past an initial discussion, but everyone feels their self worth matters tot he team. And while sifting through less than great ideas, amazing ideas present themselves and are fostered by a supportive team.

With our team building, laughter and fun are key. What can laughter do?

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
  • Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles
  • Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline
  • Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells
  • Defend against respiratory infections–reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.
  • Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores.
  • Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

So we start with FUN! As we go deeper into “YES! And…” we learn Improv becomes a series of choices. Every scene and story starts with an IDEA.  We say “YES” to the first idea, then, as a team, we build on that idea with more ideas. Each CHOICE supports the previous choices and ideas.

MANAGEMENT – IT STARTS AT THE TOP

In order to create psychological safety, the team leader has to lead. Sounds crazy, no?

A Team Leader needs to foster psychological safety. The manager needs to be approachable and open minded.

On the Fareed Zakaria show, Julia Rozovsky and Charles Duhigg discussed Lorne Michaels, famed executive producer of Saturday Night Live. At weekly writers and planning meetings, if Lorne sees a team member disconnected or distracted, he will stop the meeting to discuss “What’s Up?” Every member of the team is important. If a member is a perceived “weak link” the focus is on making that individual feel a part of the team. That individual nor their ideas are not ignored. Instead they receive more focus and positive reinforcement.

We teach managers how to use our Improv Games to build a stronger team. Many of our warm-up games can be used in meetings. Start a productivity meeting with ZIP ZAP ZUP. Laugh together, while connecting via non verbal eye contact and body language while screaming those three simple words. The blood gets flowing and the team is ready to rock, together. Encourage – as we do in our workshop – for all to participate. I will say…

“If you are having a bad day or just struggling to start, take some energy from the circle. If you have lots to give, share it with the circle. We are ONE team and we need all to support and contribute to succeed.”

Google has been famous for years as a place that creates fun work environments. Employees have far more than a cafeteria and a gym to de-stress. Many companies have adopted the concept of having bright colors, toys and games all around the work space.

When you approach the most serious tasks with open minds, the ideas will flow. A team leader must create the environment of psychological safety, and teach the team how to foster in this environment. Improv can be a very powerful tool to make this happen.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

Imagine working in a school where every teacher, student and staff member felt comfortable to share. How quickly would problems dissipate because the entire team.

I believe “YES! And…” help eliminate the Bully epidemic. Overcoming insecurity addresses both the factors that create Bullies and Victims. While victims retreat within due to fears, bullies overcompensate and lash out. Both students are scared.

But Improv helps eliminate many basic fears. We create self worth and self respect. We develop respect for others. We build self confidence. While having fun we over come fears of speaking in public.

Humor and creativity work in similar ways, says humor guru William Fry, M.D., of Stanford University–by creating relationships between two disconnected items, you engage the whole brain.

Improv teaches critical thinking. We focus on Cultural Arts, Language Arts and Character Building, but truly these skills will help create better students – and teachers – ion all subjects.

Students and teachers that lack fear of engagement will thrive. They will be more focused in class and team meetings. Play ZIP ZAP ZUP before a big test, get the blood flowing, reduce some stress, and then see how much better test score rise.

FROM http://www.laughteryogaamerica.com/services/laughter-education-733.php

In children social play is critical to the development of social skills and emotional intelligence. Restricted play results in deficient social skills which can lead to life-long physical, mental, emotional and social problems. Laughter promotes childlike playful behavior. New research shows that playful adults continue to learn social skills and improve their emotional intelligence. Learning requires that one lower what linguists call the “affective barrier.” You can’t be uptight and learn much. You have to ease up and laugh to create.

INTERESTED?

Email me (eightimprov@gmail.com) today to find out more about our Corporate Team Building, College Leadership Training and K-12 Outreach Programs. We host at our Times Square New York location and send programs nationwide. We have worked with Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, AMEX, US Medicaid, Twitter, Louis Vuitton, Master Card, Bank of America BAML, Kraft, GM, and 100s of smaller firms as well as 1000s of K-12 schools and colleges.

Resources…

Google ‘Project Aristotle’ pioneering the way

Sun, 17 Apr 2016

Google has been studying teams and team building. The importance is the ‘psychology’ of safety on the team. Google ‘Project Aristotle’ pioneering the way. Charles Duhigg, has studied many teams to figure out how to make the perfect team.

The five keys to a successful Google team

JULIA ROZOVSKY, ANALYST, GOOGLE PEOPLE OPERATIONS

“We were dead wrong. Who is on a team matters less than how the team members interact, structure their work, and view their contributions. So much for that magical algorithm. We learned that there are five key dynamics that set successful teams apart from other teams at Google:”

  1. Psychological safety: Can we take risks on this team without feeling insecure or embarrassed?
  2. Dependability: Can we count on each other to do high quality work on time?
  3. Structure & clarity: Are goals, roles, and execution plans on our team clear?
  4. Meaning of work: Are we working on something that is personally important for each of us?
  5. Impact of work: Do we fundamentally believe that the work we’re doing matters?

 

Psychological Safety is not a brand new topic.

The findings echo Stephen Covey’s influential 1989 book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Members of productive teams take the effort to understand each other, find a way to relate to each other, and then try to make themselves understood.

Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson explored the concept a 1999 study, which concluded that “psychological safety” boosted performance in teams.