The lightbulb moment

As a coach, teacher, mentor, and facilitator I've had the privilege of working with hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds. Their varied stories and different points of view make every experience unique and interesting whether I'm demonstrating a move on the court, introducing a new concept at work, or exposing someone to the fundamentals of improv. But one thing is always the same: the excitement I feel when they get it. Someone's eyes might get bigger, or they may give a head nod. It may be a "thank you" after class or an actual "oooh." No matter, I know they’ve had their lightbulb moment. It made sense. The dots connected. They see the puzzle pieces come together as the full picture.

Like most coaches and teachers, I work hard to prepare: defining the goals, understanding the audience, customizing lessons for the greatest impact. And the effort pays off when I see the message I planned for land. Of course the true value comes in the long term as the learners apply the lessons in a game, with their teams, or as they interact with others. But knowing it landed...that's a gift!

Take your team to the next level by learning, applying, and reinforcing the skills of improvisation in your every day. Strive for more positive interactions, drive more collaboration, and build better relationships. You'll be giving yourself a gift!