See the world through someone else’s eyes

Recently YPN was fortunate enough to partner with The Second City Training Center for a unique workshop on using Improv Principles in Business. With 30 in attendance, it was a great afternoon filled with conversation, lots of laughs and, most importantly, some great take-aways. Here are a few nuggets I’d like to share with you!

- Improv takes you out of your own mind and helps you see the world through someone else’s eyes.

- The goal is collaboration, not competition. What a great way to approach interacting with your fellow real estate agents: working from the premise of collaboration rather than competition!

- Although it may be uncomfortable -- and slightly fear-inducing -- to look someone in the eyes, try it! Piero, our Second City instructor, stated: “I’ve found when you do little things like that to conquer your fears, you see it affecting the rest of your life.”

- Practice active listening. When another person is talking, most people spend time formulating their response instead of actively listening to the speaker. If you tune out too soon you miss a lot, as people tend to save the REALLY important information for the end. Worse, you may not only miss what they are saying but assume they are going to say something they never do.

- Saying no to things can keep you safe but also has repercussions. You miss out on experiences.

My favorite take-away from the event, in regards to collaboration and giving everyone’s idea a chance, is a quote our instructor passed along from an anonymous previous attendee: “I don’t have to love every idea. But it helps to try and love every idea for a little bit.”

For more information on improv and business, read the article in the Spring Chicago REALTOR Magazine.

Click here to see photos from the event. Click here for upcoming YPN events.

Jessica Kern

C.A.R. Marketing Communications Manager and staff liaison to YPN