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How I went from being a bad communicator to a good communicator

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Andy Mewborn
February 21, 2023

Good morning to everyone except the people who don't show us their dog on Zoom 💀

"#1 Newsletter of the Year" 🏆️ -Andy’s Wife

😱 ANDY REACTS

Hey there tech folks, did you hear that President Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv early yesterday morning? Yeah, apparently he just couldn't wait to try out the latest version of CyberPierogi, the hottest new Ukrainian startup.

But seriously, I don't know about you, but I'm a little jealous of Biden's ability to just pop up in another country like that. Whenever I travel, I have to plan everything down to the last detail, from the flights to the hotels to the restaurants. And even then, something always goes wrong.

Can you imagine if tech companies were run the way I travel? "Sorry folks, we were supposed to release the new update today, but our CEO got stuck in traffic on the way to the office. And then his flight got delayed. And then he missed his connecting flight. And then his hotel room didn't have Wi-Fi."

But hey, at least Biden got to enjoy some delicious pierogies while he was in Kyiv. Maybe he can bring some back for us next time he makes an unannounced visit!

☠️ ANDY’S DEADLY DOODLES

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💀 Issue #90 💀

How I went from being a bad communicator to a good communicator

I went from being a bad communicator to a good communicator after taking 4+ years of improv comedy classes.

I'll tell you the 5 main tricks here so you don't have to waste a day up on stage making a fool of yourself:

1/ Yes, And

The fundamental principles of improv:

"yes, and."

When your scene partner makes a suggestion:

• you accept it &

• build on it

rather than reject it.

This encourages you to be open to others' ideas and build on them.

“Yes, AND” is the antithesis of “Yes, BUT”

2/ Make Your Partner Look Good

In improv, your scene partner is your teammate.

It's your job to support and lift them up to create a successful scene.

This principle applies to communication as well...

Support your conversation partner and help them feel heard.

3/ Embrace Failure

Mistakes and failures are seen as opportunities to learn and grow.

By embracing failure and learning from it, you can become a better improviser and a better communicator.

This principle encourages you to take risks & try new things.

4/ Becoming Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

You're often thrown into uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations:

• a new scene partner

• a challenging scene

• a tricky prompt

This skill applies to communication too:

Embrace discomfort in difficult conversations.

5/ How You Feel About a Character Guides the Scene

The audience's emotional investment in a character shapes the scene.

Similarly, emotions and attitudes can shape conversations.

Be aware of your own emotional responses and...

You'll guide the direction of a conversation.

That's a wrap!

Here are improv techniques to use in the real world:

• Yes, and

• Make your partner look good

• Embrace failure

• Become comfortable with the uncomfortable

• How you feel about someone guides the scene

Take these and run with them 🐴

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What’s inside?

🍪 DEADLY DELIGHTS (a freebie)

That’s a wrap for today amigos. Eat your tacos and see you tomorrow! If you want more, be sure to follow me on Twitter (@andymewborn) or LinkedIn.

What did you think of today’s edition? (anonymous)

A RECENT REVIEW

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Last issue had me DEAD on the floor laughing… see what I did there Andy?

you bet your ass I see what you did there