The rehearsal is the preparation for this unknown.
The rehearsal is the preparation for this unknown. A great simulation of the VUCA world, I would say! It is a place where we practice connecting with each other (how we do that perhaps can be another post) and build our collective container. The strength of this container goes a long way in creating the psychological safety of the performing space, where the audience member feels safe to open up and share their story. We practice to sharpen our senses, to listen to stories with the full body and fearlessly allow the expression of what was said, and what was unsaid.
At one of our performances, my co-actor started singing a song while depicting the scene of a group of friends at a picnic, when their car broke down. At the end of the enactment when I asked the “teller” if the enactment resonated with her, she said, “Yes! this is exactly how things happened! What I am most amazed though, is how did you know that is my favorite song?”
Ofcourse, the team was taken aback to hear that!
Was that Magic? Good preparation? Being open to space? Simple “coincidence” ? What made that happen? We do believe that in our work with the unknown, when we trust the space, surrender and really play heartfully – the intuitive being opens up into the larger field and receives that which our logical mind cannot. I haven’t mastered this art, but moments like this make me want to keep practicing.
Thrilling moments unfolded at the hashtag#kotaklife Offline Workshop – hashtag#Improv for Work and Life! Laughter echoed as we delved into a riot of improvisational exercises that left us rolling with Tigers and Aliens! 🎭 The energy was electric, as the young group of Management Trainees practiced playing with the mindset of hashtag#yesand – a cornerstone of good improvised scenes.
“Yes And” is a useful (and peaceful) mindset that we can all adopt through practice. “brings positivity – continuity in conversation and connection with the other” is what the team noticed as they deepened their play!
Pondering over this experience, I asked myself: Are our daily conversations about looking clever or winning at the expense of others, or are they about true teamwork and collaboration – starting with an acknowledgment of what the other brings?
Easier said than done, right? And, imagine the fun of practicing games and creating simple team rituals to build this collaborative muscle over time through hashtag#playfullearning !
Share in the comments if you have any such rituals in your teams or know of others who do.
And now for my moment of truth – which came amidst the laughter and rich learning. An initially hesitant participant shared, “I don’t believe in aliens, so I can’t do this exercise.” As we encouraged him to step into the world of imagination, he faced the challenge and later reflected on the fear of uncertainty – a trap of staying within the known and familiar.
During a reflective conversation, he acknowledged his challenge of dealing with “uncertain” situations. We moved on to play some more “silly games” together. At the closing circle, a few people volunteered to share their learning moments. He too raised his hand!
His closing words struck a chord with me – “The only constant is randomness, and I want to start to embrace it.” he said.🌈 It was touching to witness his honesty and newfound resolve.
Grateful for that moment.
Grateful for the incredible team that made this happen – Manish Singh, Astha, Neha from hashtag#kotaklife , and Saurabh Poddar, Yogita Oza, Siddharth Pandey, Vibha Chokhani MBA ACC, simran chandwani, and Ruturaj from hashtag#mumbaiplaybackers at empurple. 🙏
Here’s to more fun, continuous learning, and being touched by unexpected, authentic self-discoveries! 🎉📚
hashtag#improvforbusiness hashtag#appliedtheatre hashtag#corporatetheatre hashtag#experientiallearning
