The Power of Improv and Lencioni’s “Getting Naked”

July 29th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn 

I loved writing the title of this blog entry.

A few weeks ago, I blogged about an improv class I attended to learn techniques I can incorporate in training and business. Apparently, Patrick Lencioni had a similar experience and talks about it in his new book, “Getting Naked.”

Whoa, hold on there! The book is not about what you think. It’s about allowing yourself to be vulnerable as a consultant, be aware of weaknesses, humble enough to admit mistakes and brave enough to “enter the danger.”

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Talking Trust with World Bank Senior Ethics Program Officer

July 21st, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn 

I look forward to reading Thiagi, the training game guru’s newsletter each month. This month’s stuck out to me because I’m giving a presentation on the Speed of Trust simulation this week in Norfolk, VA.

In this month’s issue, Brian Remer interviews Kurt Nemes, Senior Ethics Program Officer with the World Bank on trust in the business environment.

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Using Improv for Business and Training

July 14th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn 

I recently went to a workshop with the Carolina Improv Company in Myrtle Beach. The 1.5 hour workshop was an enlightening riot on the lessons and value that improv theatre can bring to your classroom, your team or your business. Gina at Carolina Improv let us in on the 11 ways improv can enliven the way you envision work and life:

  • Being more spontaneous
  • Thinking on your feet
  • Living in the moment
  • Improving personal growth
  • Unleashing your creativity
  • Being playful (and playing well with others)
  • Stop fearing judgment
  • Change your perspective
  • Improving team synergy
  • Accepting others and ideas
  • Adjusting to change

My fellow trainers and I got a few great activities with a “yes…and” approach, including the “physical telephone” exercise. Comment on this post if you’d like an activity plan for the exercise, and I’ll send one your way!

I plan to incorporate a few techniques in my training courses, and think Gina and Carolina Improv’s corporate  and group workshops can help any organization. Go ahead, improv your life!


New “Institute Articles” Web Page

July 7th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn 

We’ve added a new resource page to our website that includes articles and webinars focused on learning, leadership and change. Check it out!


IPresentation: Improve Performance by Turning Your SME’s into Effective Trainers

July 1st, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn 

I recorded an IPresentation that’s now posted on the ReliabilityWeb site. Take a listen if you like. It’s 6-minutes about looking for the talent in your organization and providing them the opportunities to most effectively transfer that information to others in the organization.


Dan Pink’s RSA Animate Video — Drive: What Motivates Us

June 29th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn

The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce (RSA) has produced a number of animated videos to support presentations given by today’s cutting edge thinkers. Below is Dan Pink’s talk on studies in motivation at work. The results might surprise you, but his message is right on. The 10 minutes you spend watching the video are worth your time.


Jumping Ship on the Old Leadership Style Webinar

June 17th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn

Join our guest Impact columnist, David Marquet, for a free, 30-minute webinar on leadership. Here’s a preview:

In this webinar, David Marquet, former Captain of the USS Santa Fe, explains why leaders should jump ship on the old leadership style where leaders give orders and employees follow. Giving orders only creates followers without energy, passion or ownership. As work moves from physical to intellectual, employees require control, competence and clarity of purpose to be productive. In this new world of work, employees lead themselves and leaders create the structure for them to do so. Marquet implemented this new style aboard the Santa Fe and so powerful were the results, that noted author Dr. Stephen Covey rode his ship and wrote about it in The 8th Habit, stating “Never before had I observed such empowerment.”

Register for the webinar here. To see an archived version of the webinar after, go here.


Oil in Water and Fast Company Mag: Creativity Wanted…or not

June 10th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn

One great thing about visiting or working in another town is the difference in local news. Paper news may one day be a thing of the past, but there’s nothing like flipping through thin newsprint pages of happenings in another city with a different take on issues, different concerns and priorities than where you live.

Last week The Washington Post published a few articles about James Cameron offering his opinion on how to stop the oil spill (some were combative).

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Poll Question

June 7th, 2010

 


Speed of Trust Simulation Brings Trust Home

May 26th, 2010

By Tara Denton – Synapse | Tara Denton at LinkedIn

Just finished a Speed of Trust simulation for an internal client. The Speed of Trust simulation is a discovery learning experience based on Stephen M.R. Covey’s  Speed of Trust book. Bill Wilder and I are certified to deliver this simulation that teaches leaders and teams about the different types of trust (self, relationship, organizational, etc), the cores of credibility and the 13 behaviors that exemplify trust. This is the second facilitation I’ve witnessed and I’m sure it will be strikingly different every time.

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