You+: An Improv Philosophy for Work and Life
I love watching people talk about what excites them.
They turn into a whole different person. Pupils dilate. Eyes widen. There’s movement, there’s rhythm. Enthusiasm and passion spark the ignition, lighting a fire in the belly. It’s as if you’re watching an enhanced, next-level version of the person you were just talking to.
You+
In improv, this is known as You+. You+ is, well, you, but a little louder, a little more articulate, a bit more focused.
The philosophy of You+ stems from emphasizing and valuing unique experiences. There is something to learn from everyone’s individual experience. That alone should be enough for someone to feel confident in taking the stage and improvising. Even if you’re simply recounting your trip to Joshua Tree, your honest, unique experience combined with a passion and enthusiasm can captivate audiences, whether they’ve been or not.
The Opposite: The You-
Ah, the dreaded You-. There have been plenty of times where I’ve been a You-. Replying to a “How are you?” with a “Fine.” or a “Busy.” Silently getting coffee from the break room. Turning off the honesty, passion, and enthusiasm.
You- doesn’t function well in improv either. They have no interesting perspective or experience. They’re bland characters. Stale. You- sucks the energy from the stage by lacking passion and enthusiasm.
No one wants to perform with a You-.
Me+ and Me-
Throughout college, I gave a number of speeches wherein I wasn’t as enthusiastic or passionate as I could have been. Perhaps I stayed out too late… studying. As a result, I failed to become Me+. My voice was a little quieter. I was more tense. Boring. I saw fellow students completely zone out or blatantly pull out their phones.
Compare that to my final presentation for my last college course.
My group had spent months developing a high-tech escape-the-room experience. We were stoked about the technology, concept, and the sheer fun of the idea. Our enthusiasm and passion was palpable; students gave us their full attention. Not a phone in sight. Me+.
A Spot in the Workplace
Presentations and public speaking are the closest we get to performing in the workplace. Even though we may not be discussing a grand trip to Joshua Tree or our experience with pointillism (feat. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler), You+ still has a seat at the table.
Granted, perhaps a new marketing automation solution or redesign of database architecture isn’t the most exciting topic.
But buried under the buzzword-laden PowerPoint, there is something to get enthusiastic and passionate about.
Maybe this marketing automation solution gives the marketing team more time to brainstorm creative ideas for an upcoming campaign instead of being bogged down in a bureaucratic, monotonous quagmire.
Maybe a database architecture redesign will allow customers to achieve their goals and exceed expectations while doing it.
Maybe a new communications tool will save hundreds of thousands of dollars and cut back on needless rework.
Whatever the topic, I find there is opportunity for You+ to shine through if we use honesty, enthusiasm, and passion be Our+ building blocks.
Gus Vieweg is the creator and host of Raleigh’s Triangle Improv Comedy Meetup and facilitates jams at the People’s Improv Theater in Chapel Hill. When he’s not improvising, you can find him programming, playing piano, and actively correcting his posture.
