DEFINITIONS

Remember, I worked for years in the "Corporate" world and I've worked since I was seven years old in the performing world so my brain moves between the two fields pretty rapidly. Improv is the vocabulary I use, so here are MY improv definitions and definitions of words I use often!

Yes, and . . .

This is what I always call, "the first rule of improv". When you "yes, and . . ." you AGREE and ADD. In an improv scene, it is always expected that each partner will "yes, and . . ." their way through an entire scene until the scene reaches it's natural conclusion. In the REAL world, "yes, and . . ." is a little more elusive; but here's an example:

Co-worker One: It's a great day.
Co-worker Two: I know;they say that our stock is going to split tomorrow.

That's the beginning of "yes, and . . ." conversation. 

Blocking

Blocking -in an improv scene- is the opposite of "yes, and . . .". When it happens in an improv scene, it usually stops the action and the entire scene becomes frustrating to perform AND boring for the audience. Out in public, an example of blocking could be:

Co-worker One: It's a great day.
Co-worker Two: unintelligible grunt; and walks away.


WARNING: "Blocking" can cause hurt feelings and animosity amongst family members, friends and co-workers!!

Offer

In an improv scene, an offer is whatever your scene partner says or does. I know that's a really broad definition but, the offer is what YOU "yes, and . . ." with. Let's go back to my first definition and show you:

Co-worker One: It's a great day. (THIS was the first offer!)

Co-worker Two: I know; (AGREEMENT) and they say that our stock is going to split tomorrow. (ADDING & this was a new OFFER!!)

This little workplace "scene" can go on from there!

Leader

Leadership is a behavior style. Not a job title. I use the word "leader" whenever I am talking about ANYONE who wants to be a positive change maker in the world. I'm not just talking about people who are bosses or managers or others in other "traditional" leadership roles. I've known stay-at-home parents who I consider leaders and I've known corporate VP's and CEO's that I DON'T consider leaders.