No More Missed Moments: 7 Improv Tips to Speak Up When It Counts
We’ve all been there. Heart racing, mind spinning, knowing exactly what to say… and then silence. The moment passes, someone else speaks, and you’re left silently kicking yourself. “Next time, I’ll get in there!” you promise yourself — but the cycle continues.
Speaking up at work — in meetings, on Zoom calls, or at conferences — can feel like standing on a high dive… and realizing you forgot your bathing suit. Even when your insight is valuable, fear of saying it “wrong” can freeze you. The good news? You can get out of your own way.
That’s exactly what corporate improv training teaches. These seven strategies will help you speak up confidently and contribute effectively, every time.
1. You’re a Wave, Not the Ocean
Stop expecting perfection. You don’t need a grand slam — one small, authentic contribution is enough. Improvisers learn early that keeping the bar low allows them to engage without pressure.
In meetings, your goal isn’t to “wow the room” — it’s to keep the conversation moving. Your question or comment may clarify a point, spark someone else’s idea, or nudge the discussion forward. That’s already a win.
2. Stay Connected to Your Impulse
Overthinking kills momentum. In improv, performers trust the emotion behind their impulse rather than overcomplicating it.
At work, follow your instinct. If you want clarity, ask a simple question. If you liked someone’s idea, express it. You don’t need to over-engineer your contribution — just trust that your genuine response has value.
Example:
“I really liked what Steph said about collaborating across teams. Can we dive into that more?”
3. Get Clear on How You’ll Start
Rehearsing your whole speech? Stop. Focus on your first sentence — your launch pad. Whether it’s a concise opener or a single keyword, this light grip helps you stay present and flexible. Once you start, the rest flows naturally.
4. Focus on One Person
Speaking to “the room” can feel intimidating. Narrow your focus: pick one person to address. It grounds your energy, strengthens connection, and makes your input more authentic.
5. Build a Bridge
If you’re already on “Chapter 3” in your mind, slow down. Assume some people aren’t on the same page yet. Start at the beginning, provide context, and bring others along. Clarity builds confidence — for both you and your audience.
6. Take Care of Your Team
Improv teaches that supporting your scene partners strengthens the entire scene. In business, focusing on helping your team — clarifying points, encouraging contributions, connecting ideas — frees up mental bandwidth, sharpens focus, and builds trust.
7. When in Doubt, Be Honest
Improv has a simple rule: “Say what you see.” If you’re stuck, just name it. At work, this could look like:
“I’m a bit nervous, but I want to ask this question.”
“I lost the thread — Michael, could you repeat your point about the deadline?”
“I may be the only one confused — can you help me understand the shipping cost breakdown?”
Authenticity always lands better than polished-but-unnatural phrasing. People respect honesty, especially in high-stakes or high-pressure settings.
Why This Works
When you speak up with presence, curiosity, and honesty, your contributions don’t just get heard — they make a difference. That’s the same principle behind corporate improv workshops and improv for business: train your team to show up fully, engage authentically, and take productive risks in every interaction.
No more missed moments. No more silence. Step in, speak up, and watch the conversation — and your impact — grow.
