Our Team Building Workshop

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Founder Thomas Maple, a psychologist, has designed for Maple Human Development an improv training workshop that is very valuable for increasing the effectiveness of your organization's team by improving your team's COMMUNICATION, CHEMISTRY, & CREATIVITY.    

COMMUNICATION

Improv work improves team communication that increases understanding and decreases errors. 

This occurs because the improv work helps each team member to: 

1. Examine one’s own communication style and realize what adjustments one can make to communicate information and ideas more effectively; and

2. Create a habit of paying attention to teammates’ communications and listening for understanding. 

CHEMISTRY

Improv work improves team chemistry that increases cohesion and decreases conflicts. 

This occurs because the improv work helps each team member to: 

1. Discover that spirited collaboration yields greater results than individual work does; and

2. Build a sense of trust in one’s teammates, who also have come to appreciate the value of collaboration. 

CREATIVITY

Improv work improves team creativity that increases spontaneity and decreases inhibitions. 

This occurs because the improv work helps each team member to: 

1. Experience successes with some of the thoughts that one puts into action; and 

2. Appreciate the value of teammates’ ideas. 

At your office or at your retreat site, Dr. Maple leads the improvisation workshop along with performers from the Tom’s Foolery troupe.  They introduce your team to the concepts of improvisation and demonstrate certain improv games.  They then coach 

your team members in those games and give them time to practice the games in small groups.  At the workshop's conclusion, 

Dr. Maple leads your team in a discussion of the insights and skills that they have acquired.

For more information about the workshop or how we might provide it to your team, 

please contact us today via the CONTACT US button below.

To read comments from previous learners, scroll down this page.

• "It is a way of thinking or method that can be used to understand users, clarify problems, generate ideas, and create solutions.  It can be used for complex or ambiguous challenges and to solve systemic problems."
• "I really enjoyed the improv training earlier today.  It was a pleasant surprise, honestly.  It also was nice to be outside of my comfort zone and discover new interpersonal skills that I didn't know I had."
• "This taught me to be more open to the unexpected and embrace the unknown."
• "It was a unique experience and a fun way to learn business concepts.  It was helpful for me to step outside my comfort zone and gain more confidence." 
• "Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try something new." 
• "I really ended up enjoying the workshop. I was a little timid at first, and not sure that I was going to get anything out of it, but I ended up learning a lot and having a great time."
• "I learned to take risks and pursue boldly."  
• "Although public speaking and putting myself out there isn't me, today calmed my nerves.  Also thinking on the spot previously scared me, but I learned today that I am able to do it."
• "Being able to think quickly can help form relationships and show that you mean business."
• "Today, my teammate and I were complemented by our ability to stay on the task given to us.  I feel that this is important in owning a business because it allows you to get your point across quickly and efficiently."  
• "Great presentation!"
• "I believe I can work on being more confident as a public speaker.  The instructors from Tom's Foolery all seemed very confident, even when acting out goofy scenarios. Improving confidence for public speaking is necessary for all entrepreneurs or no one is going to buy what you're selling."
• "This helped me have confidence to work with a team."
• "One key takeaway from today's exercise is the value of quick decision-making and confidence in uncertain situations.  Moving forward, I can apply this by being more open to taking risks, trusting my instincts, and improving my ability to work under pressure."
• "I enjoyed it a lot!"
• "The improvisation training was engaging and provided a great way to step out of our comfort zones.  A strong point was how it encouraged creative thinking and collaboration, which made it a fun and effective learning experience."
• "It was so fun!"
• "I personally did not want to do it, but after participating I definitely see why we did it and why Stanford requires it."
• "I enjoyed the improvisation.  It was an activity i wouldn't have expected.  It was fun and also informal."
• "I thought the improv class was insightful.  It was interesting to take a different approach on learning business.  
• "They were great!"