Workshops

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Improv & Storytelling Workshops for organizations

Applied Improvisation and Storytelling workshops create rapid change for organizations. Through an arc of playful, easy, laughter-filled games that are tailored to your group's unique needs, these workshops improve relational dynamics, fostering inclusive culture, accelerating innovation, and strengthening collaboration. Unlike some professional development approaches, this work doesn't feel like work. No Power Points or lengthy lectures; participants make real, lasting and useful discoveries through dynamic, joyful play, followed by reflection.

Recent studies by Google identified Psychological Safety as the one condition present in their teams that are the most productive, collaborative, and innovative. This study and others like it confirm what many of us instinctively know about the value of genuine trust and respect between collaborators. But they stop short at suggesting how to foster these conditions. As a 17-year teacher of both Improvisation and Storytelling, I know well that these art forms easily create lasting Psych Safety for groups. And as a teacher in the business schools at The University of Chicago's Booth School and Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, I watch these tools help business people flourish on the regular.

Normally, I travel to lead workshops in person for teams, departments or entire companies. During social distancing and remote working times, workshops are offered remotely over Zoom, and can last from 1-3 hours, or be spread out over a period of days or weeks. The length, content, and number of workshops are tailored to your needs and parameters. A free 20 minute consultation lets us evaluate the possibilities.

Here are some ways that workshops can bring about change for organizations:

Internal:

Strengthen genuine warm regard, trust, and respect among colleagues
Embed healthy, welcoming, inclusive culture
Improve communication between departments, and between various levels of administration
Foster innovative, productive output from creative teams and groups
Prosper individual creativity, initiative and confidence

External:

Improve listening, empathy and communication with clients and served populations
Strengthen skill and confidence in networking and public speaking
Clarify your organization's goals, and bring brand identity into alignment with your values
Use narrative skills to elevate talks, content writing, and pitching

In addition to teaching ongoingly with

I've led workshops for teams within

"I had a brand new team of people with widely ranging backgrounds who would be collaborating intensely for 3 months. I brought Janna in the first week to help the group bond, practice being vulnerable, and build off each other’s ideas. In a fearless and nurturing way, Janna lead the team through a series of exercises that created an incredibly supportive environment which allowed each person to share their creativity and be vulnerable. She had a profound effect on each person individually and on the group dynamic - setting the tone for how we’d work. She was the first of 25 guests we had with us over the course of 3 months, and when I asked the team who stood out and really made an impact, it was Janna’s workshop they said would stay with them the most."

Maria Scileppi, Director of 72U at 72andSunny

"Learning Storytelling with Janna was a profound, life changing experience where I was coached in speaking my truth, and saw that when I didn’t, I created roadblocks that made it challenging to express myself. Once these roadblocks were removed, the story would flow naturally and Janna would say, “Now it feels like you’re telling the truth”. I invited her to lead a series of Storytelling workshops at DDB, where the same qualities of truthfulness in storytelling are needed. People loved the workshops! Change happens when we know each other's stories, and Janna is gifted in helping to bring our stories forward."

Michelle Auger, VP & Director of Human Resources at DDB Chicago

“People talk about community all of the time but Janna lives it, she radiates it. She creates an environment where even the most frightened find courage to contribute and try new things. She opens doors for people to change the way they connect; in real, grounded and respectful ways. With humor and intelligence, she opens herself in a way that shows all of us it's okay to do the same.”

Deanna Moffitt, Keynote Speaker & Leadership Consultant

“I’ve never met anyone who can make you feel more comfortable — or happy about — getting out of your head and in touch with the creative kid in you that knows how to play. Janna can bring a group together like no one else. She can take a room full of in 10 minutes they are rolling on the floor laughing together. This atmosphere of fun is the essence of learning, and it’s why I sought out classes with her not once but twice.”

Jackson Cusick, Copywriter at Money Map Press

“I loved how you built our skills organically through the week-long workshop. It was brilliant.”

Paul Carlson, Invasive Plant Solutions, Natural Habitat Restoration

“Janna Sobel is a passionate professional who brings both empathy and insight to all of her workshops. The Revival has been fortunate to work with Janna across multiple programs including some of the theater’s highest-profile corporate engagements.”

John Stoops, Director of The Revival Theater

"I worked with Janna on my personal storytelling and communication skills, and was so impressed with what she taught me that I brought her in to work with our company. Saggezza is a group of global technology consultants that is growing rapidly and Janna designed a dynamic workshop series for our Sales and Recruiting teams to hone our company messaging. Now we are communicating clearly and with more color and vibrancy that we though possible. Thank you, Janna!"

Susan Stenander, CFO of Saggezza Inc.

"Janna Sobel is one of those rare teachers who can teach about the world, while learning a world from her students. She will listen to you as well as she listens to nature."

Viveca Malave, Singer & Songwriter

About Janna

CONTACT

To inquire about workshops, please use the fields to the left, and I will reply within 24 hours.

I look forward to speaking with you!

Janna