say yes to diversity!

©2018

Say Yes to Diversity!What can improv comedy teach

us about embracing the “Big

Tent”

Toni Halleen, Esq.

Schaefer Halleen LLC

©2018

Definition of DIVERSITY

•plural diversities•1: the condition of having or being composed of differing elements : VARIETY; especially : the inclusion of different types of people (such as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization•2: an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities : an instance of being diverse a diversity of opinion

©2018

How are we different at

MWL?• Our age, race, religion, etc., but also…

• Practice areas/ stage in career

• Locations and clientele

• Size of our offices or practices

• Approaches and strategies

• Communication styles and preferences

• Comfort zones and boundaries

• Values and definitions of success…

©2018

We have in common?• We are women or concerned about

women

• We are human beings

• We work in and around the legal profession

• We desire a Big Tent

• We want to be understood

• We value our differences and we embrace diversity

©2018

Using The “Tools of Improv”can help us embrace diversity

• Trust yourself; trust your instincts

• Say “yes” first; be open to change

• Turn your questions into information

• When you’re stuck, move

• Listen, watch and concentrate

• Give your best

• Be clear; seek understanding

• Give and take

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Trust yourself;

trust your instincts

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Trust Your Instincts

• The power of trust

• Trust yourself, and trust that you will be able, what you have is good

• You can learn to be uninhibited in your thinking, to be more creative and use your knowledge

• Being trustworthy; being inclusive

• The Big Tent of ideas, are welcome

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Say “yes”

©2018

Say “Yes”

• Instead of jumping to criticize or reject the ideas of others (and your own), try saying “yes” first

• Starting with “yes,” you can increase creativity and build on ideas

• The impulse to say “no” blocks expansiveness of ideas and creates a barrier to trust

• Say yes to those who are different

©2018

Ways to Say “Yes”

• “Say more about that”

• “What would that be like”

• “How can I help”

• “Let’s explore further”

• “How would that work”

• “Keep talking”

• “How might we overcome”

• Use your experience to add solutions

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Turn questions into information

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Questions are Good

-Find the instinct at the base of a

question

• By practicing to convert your questions into statements, you

– learn to trust your instincts, and

– gain access to your ideas/experience

– that allows you to help others

• Answer your question with an offer

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When you get stuck, move!

©2018

When Stuck, “Move”

• Literally, and figuratively… move

• Often the body can lead the brain –follow it!

• You can learn to unblock your brain with movement, and you can use your nervousness to gain creativity

• Taking action creates momentum

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Listen, watch and concentrate – Be here now

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Listen, Concentrate

• Be aware of the many sources of information – verbal and non-verbal

• Pay attention to what is being said and happening around you

• When you pay attention, you increase your ability to connect to and react to what is going on

• Listening to those who are different leads to understanding

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Listening Preferences

• Story, emotions, humor, interest

• Structure, map, chronology

• Interesting vocabulary or unique words

• Complex or simple language

• Grammar and sentence structure, attitude and “voice”

• Length and brevity

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Give Your Best• Be generous with what you have to

offer• Make others look good and we all

succeed• Project your best and highest

intelligence• Avoid the easy way out; train your

brain to use your best instincts• Expect the best out of others, and

always give your best

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Be Clear

• Be specific; clarify; seek understanding

• Don’t assume everyone else sees things the way you do

• Be open to others seeing things very differently, and try to see it that way, too

• Give clear information to avoid misunderstanding/feelings of exclusion

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Give and Take

• Seek balance in giving and receiving

• Challenge yourself and share

• Be aware of how much you are talking and leading, vs. listening and following

• Recognize that others have valuable ideas and abilities

• Welcome leadership from others

©2018

Using the “Tools of Improv”

• The power of trust & trustworthiness

• Be ready for change and adapt

• Say “yes” and stay open

• Take action to avoid being stuck

• Listen, concentrate, be here now

• Be clear and seek understanding

• Give your best: help others succeed

• The balance of give and take

say yes to diversity!

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