Effective communication requires generosity. By contrast, a "competitive" atmosphere - where ideas are shut down, and where each person attempts to block the other or seeks to raise their profile at the cost of the others - is enemy number one for successful communication. Trust can be created when people are free to assume that their ideas and opinions will be given a ready ear, will be taken seriously, and that others may pick up the ideas so that innovation may occur. The "yes, and" principle is, therefore, one key to successful communication, teamwork and innovation.
Of paramount importance for every communication and presentation is also the personality of the speaker, which can create an atmosphere of trust and real interest. Body language plays a very important part and, very often, is used only unconsciously. Usually, "Status" is connected with a certain position or power, which someone enjoys in an organization or in society. However, in everyday life, we constantly play with our personal Status, which is somewhat independent from our professional Status. Everyone prefers a certain Status. By raising your own Status, you gain more authority and assertiveness. By lowering your own Status, thereby increasing the Status of someone else, you convey empathy and sympathy. Both raising and lowering your own Status are important and useful in different situations. Students will learn their preferred status and how to change it, when appropriate.
In this course, students will improve their communication and presentation skills, working with the methods of improvisational theater to also enhance their spontaneity, creativity and ability to deal with unknown situations.
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