Ep392 - Neil Mullarkey | Build Your Confidence, Communication and Creativity at Work
Nov 7, 2023
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Neil Mullarkey, author of 'In the Moment: Build Your Confidence, Communication and Creativity at Work,' discusses communication tricks and strategies for collaboration and risk-taking. He shares his journey in comedy, the power of improv, and the importance of exploring assumptions. The podcast also explores enhancing lives, addressing polarization, and mnemonic devices for communication and creativity. It ends with embracing improvisation and collaboration for creativity and confidence.
Embrace confidence and show creative flair in every interaction at work.
Learn the core principles of improv: intensive listening, accepting offers, and offering back.
Adopt an improv mindset in remote and hybrid work setups for increased flexibility and creativity.
Deep dives
The Power of Confidence and Creativity at Work
Neil Malaki discusses his book 'In The Moment' and the importance of confidence and creativity in the workplace. He emphasizes that every interaction is an opportunity to embrace confidence and show creative flair. The book provides insights on collaboration, risk-taking, and organization, equipping readers with communication strategies. Neil Malaki's background in improv and theater helps him deliver keynotes and workshops to various organizations, promoting the power of improv in enhancing communication and creativity.
The Journey of Neil Malaki: From Comedy to Communication Expert
Neil Malaki shares his journey from being a comedian on shows like 'Whose Line Is It Anyway' and the Austin Powers movies to becoming a renowned communication expert. He discusses his passion for comedy and how it led him to explore the world of improv. Through collaborations with companies like EY, Deloitte, and Vodafone, Neil brings the skills of theater and improv to help organizations improve communication and creativity. He also highlights the importance of embracing humor and laughter in creating positive connections and enhancing well-being in personal and professional life.
Extracting the Essence of Improv: Listening, Accepting, Offering
Neil Malaki delves into the core principles of improv and their application in various aspects of life. He emphasizes the importance of intensive listening, accepting offers, and offering back in order to create engaging and collaborative interactions. These principles, known as laser (Listen, Accept, Send an offer back, Explore assumptions, Reincorporate), promote effective communication, build relationships, and foster creativity. Neil highlights the need for balance between planning and improvisation, acknowledging the value of preparation while being open to adapt and explore new possibilities in the moment.
Embracing Remote Work and Hybrid Environments with an Improv Mindset
Neil Malaki discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by remote work and hybrid environments. He encourages individuals and organizations to adopt an improv mindset in order to make the most of these new work setups. He highlights the positive aspects of remote work, such as increased flexibility, reduced carbon footprint, and the potential for diverse and creative collaborations. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of effectively planning and structuring office-based interactions to maximize in-person connections, energize meetings, and balance task-oriented and improvisational approaches to work.
Humor as a Catalyst for Connection and Creativity
Neil Malaki explores the role of humor in fostering connections, enhancing communication, and promoting creativity. He emphasizes the power of appropriate humor in breaking down barriers, bringing people together, and creating a positive and inclusive environment. Neil highlights how humor can be an effective tool for leaders to engage their teams, build rapport, and encourage innovative thinking. He encourages individuals to embrace humor as a way to navigate challenges, find common ground, and enhance personal and professional relationships.
Neil Mullarkey visits Google to discuss his book “In the Moment: Build Your Confidence, Communication and Creativity at Work” There are moments throughout our lives when our confidence and creativity can make all the difference. Every meeting, presentation and conversation is an opportunity to embrace your confidence and show your creative flair. With insights on collaboration, risk-taking and organization, this book arms you with a complete repertoire of powerful communication tricks and strategies. Neil Mullarkey is an actor, author, comedian and communication expert, notably known for his roles in “Whose Line Is it Anyway” and the Austin Powers movies. Neil also travels the world bringing the skills of theater and improv to clients such as EY, Deloitte, Vodafone, Accenture and Unilever. He has delivered hundreds of keynotes and workshops to various organizations and is a guest speaker at London Business School, London Business Forum and Bayes Business School.