The Second City

🌟 What is "Red Ball"? It's more than just an improvisational exercise—it's a powerful lesson in communication and connection. 🌟 Imagine standing in a circle, tossing an imaginary red ball to your colleagues. Simple, right? But as the exercise unfolds, participants quickly discover how we communicate effectively—or not. How we send and receive messages, use our whole selves to connect, and how the smallest change can make communication exponentially more complex. 🔴 Red Ball is a lesson in humility. It reveals the fascinating ways humans connect (and sometimes misconnect!). 🔴 Red Ball is agile messaging in action. A practice in adaptability, clarity, and focus. 🔴 Red Ball is a warm-up for success. Because in many industries, what you say—and how you're heard—can make all the difference. Here’s how it works: Participants stand in a circle, tossing an imaginary red ball while making eye contact and exchanging simple phrases. Once they’ve mastered one ball, additional colors are added. The goal? Keep track of everything while staying in sync with the group. What’s magical is the debrief: discussing what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve. The insights gained from such a simple exercise are profound—and directly applicable to real-world scenarios. 🎭 Whether you're leading a team, facilitating a workshop, or simply looking for a fresh perspective, "Red Ball" is a fun, eye-opening tool to build better communication. Have you tried exercises like this? What’s your favorite activity for improving communication skills? 💬 #Improvisation #Communication #TeamBuilding #Agile #Leadership

What a powerful reminder of the importance of being present: both improvisation and life require us to fully embrace the moment, free from the weight of the past or the worry of the future. 🌟 #Mindfulness #LivingInTheMoment #ImprovisationInLife #CarpeDiem

Ever feel like your team’s big meeting is awkward and a less “productive brainstorm” session? Let’s fix that. When you ditch the clunky scripts, communication stops feeling like a chore and starts fueling those “Yes, and…” moments that spark real progress. With empathy playing lead and understanding stealing the show, even the tough conversations become plot twists you can handle. Ready to see your workplace go from strained solos to a harmonious ensemble? Let’s start talking. https://lnkd.in/gxs4Qvey

To celebrate The Second City’s 65th Anniversary, Kelly sits down with The Second City's Creative Leadership team to share their journeys and reflect on what makes this iconic institution a global comedy powerhouse. On this special episode, we discuss how the creative processes drives us both on and off the stage. As well as how the power of teamwork shapes how we create memorable experiences in our theaters, classrooms, and workshops. “Ensemble lay at the heart of the work at Second City.” Join us for a conversation about legacy, creativity, and the magic of comedy that’s shaped generations. #SecondCity #comedy #imporvisation A special thank you to The Second City's Creative Leadership team: Anne Libera, Jen Ellison, Rob Wilson, Julie Dumais Osborne, Claudia Michelle Wallace, Tyler Dean Kempf, and Etan Muskat https://lnkd.in/gGrfpmxz

🎉 Today we celebrate an incredible milestone—The Second City turns 65! 🎭 Over the decades, we've had the honor to train millions of performers—some of them you know because so many have gone on to international stardom. But even more have taken "Yes, And" into their work, homes, and lives to help build spaces where all of us are better than one of us; where they learn to play the scene they’re in, rather than the scene they want to be in; and where they truly embody the idea of having someone’s back. Happy Birthday, The Second City—let's do this for another 65 years! 🎂✨ #TheSecondCity #YesAnd #Comedy #Creativity #Collaboration #HappyBirthday

🎙️ Exciting "Getting to Yes, And" Podcast Update! Dr. Richard E. Cytowic, MD MFA is a renowned professor of #Neurology at The George Washington University who has a new book called "Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age." His concern is that we are surrendering our learning, focus, and attention to devices that simply don't enhance our ability to perform critical thinking or make meaningful connections. 💡 He writes: "Creative people don't necessarily know more facts; they connect more dots because they see more dots than others do. They are attentive; their mind is open and receptive." Creative minds need space in which to wander without an agenda. This is exactly what our #learning programs provide: space to practice focus, attention and agile, both/and thinking. If your work success requires your employees to tap into their best creative selves, are they being trained to do so? Drop us a line. We can help.🙌 Join Kelly Leonard on December 31 for another incredible episode you won’t want to miss! 🙌 🚨 #Leadership #Creativity #LearningAndDevelopment #Podcast

Turn difficult conversations into catalysts for growth. This workshop blends The Second City’s improv techniques with behavioral science, giving you practical tools to transform friction into fuel. Learn to listen deeply, respond strategically, and adapt faster—so your team can thrive under pressure. Make better communication your new normal. Join us.

You know that one conversation you’ve been dreading at work? The tense meeting, the tricky feedback session, or the seemingly endless string of misunderstandings? Imagine if, instead of tying your stomach in knots, those moments felt like opportunities for real connection and growth. We’ve just published an article that flips the script on everyday communication struggles, showing you how to transform tough talks into moments that spark innovation, trust, and (yes) maybe even a bit of fun. Drawing on The Second City’s legendary improv insights, it offers a fresh perspective on navigating complexity, embracing differences, and communicating with genuine empathy. But why just read about it when you can experience it firsthand? Join us on January 16th, 2025 (10am-1pm, lunch included) for “Communication for Impact,” our open-enrollment workshop. Developed with behavioral scientists from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, this program blends the art of improvisation with proven strategies to help you listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and build stronger relationships across your organization. Early Enrollment: Now through Dec. 20th, 2024 for $995 Regular Enrollment: Dec. 21st, 2024 through Jan. 15th, 2025 for $1,250 Don’t let tough conversations hold you back. Read the article. Then join us, learn a few improv tricks, and walk away ready to make every interaction count. https://lnkd.in/guCvEd4K

On this week's episode, Kelly connects with Bob Moesta, founder, innovator, and president of The Re-Wired Group, to explore his latest book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career," co-written with Ethan Bernstein and Michael Horn. Bob dives into the challenges of career transitions and how to overcome them, sharing, “A fear of the unknown future creates friction that can thwart movement toward a new role.” Gain insight on how to navigate career development and the tricky waters of career transitions with confidence. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, this conversation is a must-listen. #jobs #work #decisionmaking The Second City https://lnkd.in/gJ_x6E66

This week, Kelly sits down with Stephan Meier, the James P. Gorman Professor of Business Strategy and chair of the management division at Columbia Business School, to talk about his impactful new book, "The Employee Advantage: How Putting Workers First Helps Business Thrive." Stephan dives into the link between employee well-being and business success, reminding us that “happier employees are more productive employees.” Tune in for insights on creating workplace cultures where everyone thrives. #innovation #resilience #agility The Second City https://lnkd.in/gTfpT9v8