Why I Turned Back To Improv As A Business Owner (and how it can help you)
Jill Diamond
??????-????????????-????-??????-???????? communication skills for non-native English speakers ?? Engaging speech to get international teams' heard ?? Polish. Speak. Shine ?? Bi-country resident ????????
Welcome to You Belong In The Room, the monthly newsletter where I share tips, insights, and resources to inspire you to polish your speech so you can reach your English-speaking dreams.
Eloquence and confidence in a second language can be tricky. Just because you speak English as a second language fluently doesn't mean you always feel like you show up in the room as your complete self. That's why I started the You Belong In The Room Newsletter. In this month's edition, you'll learn more about my performance background and why improvisation is a road to your communication success. I'm sure there's something here for you that can advance your spoken English.
In each month's newsletter, you'll also find strategic resources, learning opportunities, and important announcements you may be interested in.
And now...You Belong In The Room Newsletter, Edition 4.
"Catch me...I'm falling!"
And he did!
Bank Street. New York City. 2002, and I didn't even know my scene partner in my improv class at HB Studio.
Our acting teacher asked two people to volunteer and we were the first two to jump up on stage.
Other people joined the scene, chaos ensued and my playful mind told me to act like I was falling.
I didn't tell anyone in advance, I trusted my instinct and cried out to the others on stage, "Catch me...I'm falling."
And someone did.
That's what scene partners do for one another.
? They stay alert to their environment.
? They say yes to what's being established as the point of action.
? And they work together to build something credible.
Don't those sound like a recipe for success at work, too?
Well, before I tell you more about that, let me share this with you if you are unfamiliar with my background: I studied acting from the age of 9 until I was in my early 20s.
I dropped out of college to move to LA, came back to NYC to audition and take a real try at it, and eventually fell out of love with the business of acting and went back to school.
A few years later, I was equipped with a Master's Degree in Education with a specialty in creative arts in learning. I turned my love of acting into a career.
And so when I was in my mid-30s with a business partner and a language school, I had the instinct to go back to improv class to help create dynamic curriculums for The Diamond Method??.
What I didn't know when I signed up was that I'd be building my negotiating skills, refining my conflict resolution skills, and enhancing my ability to collaborate with my team.
Here's what you want to know about improv.
Improvisation is not just for actors and comedians. And it's not just for people like me reclaiming their passion.
It's for everyone.
When you take an improv class, you learn how to think on your feet, and staying calm and focused is a must when you are:
? brainstorming
? under communication pressure
? or giving a presentation.
I wrote a blog post about thinking on your feet last week and I want you to learn the rules of improv and see how they apply to everyday public speaking (not just formal or business-related communication, but everyday success in your communication.)
The post is called Tackling Impromptu Communication Skills in English as a Second Language and you can read it here.
Here are the headings of the article:
Here's a sneak peek at the first 5 rules:
?? Trust
?? Establish The Relationship
?? Establish The Scene
?? Have Something At Stake
?? Make Choices
After reading the blog, leave a comment and let me know what you think. Then, follow my LinkedIn posts and emails this month because I'll be going more deeply into the subject of Thinking On Your Feet this month.
Keep scrolling for other exciting information ????
News Worth Mentioning
My Recent Win!
In the Burnout to All Out Lead Gen Academy we're asked about a recent win we've had before we get coached in front of the group.
It's such a beautiful way to slow down and reflect on what's going well (too often we focus on the negative, right?)
Well, I wanted to share a recent win with you in the hopes that it'll inspire you to stick with it when it feels like your career is going round in circles.
Ten years ago I was approached by an entrepreneur who wanted to improve his accent and public speaking skills.
We met in person for our first private coaching session and then moved online.
Aside from private coaching and group cohort participation over the years, he came back multiple times for support for his international teams.
Well, two months ago, we met in person again and he told me that he had a project he'd like to collaborate with me on.
It felt like a dream come true to be seen for my:
?? Years of experience
领英推荐
?? Proven methodology
?? And passion for what I do
Without going into the details of this project today, I just wanted to tell you that sometimes we have to stick with it much longer than we'd like to be seen for who we are and what we're capable of accomplishing.
So, my message to you: STICK WITH IT!
The Month Ahead
The Great Imitation Challenge is Baaaccckk
The first Great Imitation Challenge of 2024 is here and as a subscriber to the You Belong In The Room Newsletter, you are being invited to be the first to enroll when doors open on April 3rd.
When you are among the first 10 people to register in this $197 program, you'll get a FREE VIP EXPERIENCE that'll include:
???Staying with us for 30 additional minutes?of coaching in a more intimate group.
???Maintaining lifetime access to all the recorded workshops.
???Joining us backstage?10 minutes early to see the behind-the-scenes action.
???Getting The Gold Virtual VIP Bag?filled with resources, additional practice sheets, important definitions, rules, and more.?
?? Plus, a private 30-minute session with me after the challenge finishes so I can point you in the best direction for future speaking success (a value of $250 alone)?
So, if you've been thinking about advancing your fluent English to new levels of confidence and clarity, click here to be the first to know when the doors to registration open.
Doors open at 11:50 PM April 3rd, but you must be on the waitlist to be among the first 10 to get The VIP Experience. So hurry ??????
Free Workshop April 16th: Amplify Your Speaking Success By Thinking On Your Feet In English
If you or someone you know is a non-native English-speaking professional interested in polishing your speech, join me for 75 minutes to how the rules of improvisation will help you think on your feet.
I'm confident your participation will improve your understanding of every great public speaker's toobox and ready you for advanced communication skills. Plus, you'll gain insights into the ways The Diamond Method?? can be your guide.
Oh, and if you miss it, you'll get access to the replay just by signing up!
What People Are Liking
LinkedIn Post Of The Month (March 2024)
People love to take a poll and you're in luck because this LinkedIn post in March is something you can still participate in.
Click here to tell me your favorite time of day for a work break. You'll help me decide the time for the workshops in the upcoming Great Imitation Challenge. Just read the question in the poll and add your choice in the comments.
Also, get notified each time I post on LinkedIn by ringing the bell under my banner on the right side of my profile .
Favorite Tip Of The Month (March 2024)
Every week, subscribers to my Educational Email List receive tips and tricks for using The Diamond Method?? communication frameworks. Here’s a link to the most opened email of March 2024. Hint: It's going to help you prepare for your next important communication.
If you like what you read, SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE MY PERSONALIZED WEEKLY TIPS
YouTube Video Of The Month (March 2024)
March's YouTube video of the month took us back to an oldie but goodie: American English Thought Chunking.
Learn the secrets of every great orator by watching this video about:
? Pausing
? Emphasized words
? Pacing
Then, try to use pausing in your daily communication to elevate your speech to a place of true authority. If you are an advanced speaker of English and know that you need communication skills tips, have a look now and leave a comment or question for me while you're there.
And, if you're not already a subscriber to the channel, go ahead and subscribe now so you can hear all the ways I can guide you in polishing your spoken English.
What Graduates Are Saying About The Diamond Method??
Bernardo Girala, General Manager at Asofarma Centroamerica & Caribe
Jill gave me simple tools to improve my pronunciation and confidecne in English. When I realized how effective these tools were, I started to apply them in my native language.
To hear Bernardo's complete video testimonial, click the image of him above.
And, for more graduate comments, scroll down to the recommendations section of my LinkedIn profile by clicking here.
Ready to take the next step in your spoken English, book a Communication Confidence Breakthrough Guaranteed Call with me to get started today.
Make sure you never miss an issue of the You Belong In The Room newsletter by clicking the "Subscribe" button in the upper right corner of this page. For more articles, tips, and insight, connect with me here .
If you are meeting me for the first time or simply would like to know more about me, you can hop over here to learn about the passion I put into my communication skills coching.
Organizational strategist. Leadership optimizer. Professor. Relationship builder. Social impact advisor. Systems thinker.
7 个月Hands down one of the top 5 important skills to have as a leader!
President, CEO, and General Counsel @ Focus Forward Consulting LLC | Legal Coaching and Consulting| Speaker & Trainer|Co-Author
7 个月Improv helps no matter what your carer or business.
CEO, Leadership & Executive Coach at BigBlueGumball. TEDx speaker. Author of “VisuaLeadership.” MG 100 Coaches.
7 个月Great post, Jill Diamond! Tagging my friend marc levine of “Improv My Sales.”