The 90%: Improv wrap-up; CEO Conrad Hawley; Stories or Facts?

<<First Name>>, Welcome back to The 90%!

Behavioral psychologist Susan Weinschenk writes that up to 90% of decision-making is unconscious. “We often like to think that we’re like Mr. Spock in Star Trek, and very rational and logical. But we’re not. And, if you want to really reach people, if you want to communicate with them, if you want to persuade them, you need to figure out how to talk to the unconscious part of their mind.” How do you do this? Through story-telling, humor, and basic emotions like love, joy, happiness, and surprise.

Perspiration

I wrapped up my Level I improv class with a show at Mom's Basement Theatre. With that, I wanted to share a few final applications of improv to performance.

It's not about the scene, it's about the people. Whether we are mermaids, cave-men, or librarians, what makes a scene work is the relationship between the people. That's certainly the truth on a team, at the office, or in the classroom.
I got your back. This is what we told each other before going on stage. As I've previously shared, an improv fundamental is to make your partners look good and feel supported. Reciting this mantra before every performance is a great practice for any group.
Don't think, just do. Rather than saying, "I think we should go to the store," we were encouraged to speak with certainty, "We're going to the store." Playing with assertiveness and conviction is more compelling and makes for a better performance - in any context.

Inspiration

One of my favorite parts of March Madness is being introduced to the unique stories and journeys of players and coaches. Iowa State's Conrad Hawley certainly falls in this category. Let's start with the fact Hawley was a quarterback who was the high school offensive player of the year for the state of Missouri, led his team to a state championship, and earned a scholarship from the University of Kansas. After a coaching change, he looked to transfer, but to play basketball, NOT football. In fact, he wasn't even interested in playing time; he simply wanted to be part of a team, have fun, and bring energy to his teammates. It's earned him the title of CEO - Chief Energy Officer - and a designated seat on the bench. The ex-QB, who also idolizes David Goggins and wants to become a Navy SEAL, scored one point this season, but his energy and leadership has been essential to Iowa State's success. Hawley is only a sophomore, so keep an eye on this Cyclone.

Preparation

Do you deal in stories or facts? As we noted above, stories can sway unconscious decision-making. We get ourselves in trouble, however, when we start composing stories about a situation. What's the difference?

This lousy weather will never end. VS. The average daily temperature was 49.2, 4.3 degrees below the February norm of 53.5 degrees.
That shot was terrible. VS. That shot landed 20 yards right of target.
They hated my proposal. VS. The committee did not smile, and they crossed their arms while I was speaking.

The stories we tell ourselves are often judgmental, make negative assertions, assume we know what others are thinking, and/or predict the future. Facts, however, are objective pieces of information. There's no meaning, just data.

The next time you find yourself evaluating a situation, ask yourself whether you're dealing in stories or facts. Notice when a strong emotional reaction arises. Try to make observations, rather than interpretations. Take on a more mindful approach that is curious and inquisitive. Doing so will open your eyes to all of the possibilities and opportunities that are available in the moment.

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