Engaging People Through Improvisation

Course aims

This course is quite broad in its appeal, but is best suited to middle-management level and more junior roles. It is ideal for anyone who has been exposed to the professional world and aspires to progress in their career, but their communication skills are holding them back.  

The learning outcomes can be applied to day-to-day communication skills and professional situations such as meetings, presentations, leadership, training, facilitation pitching, and negotiation.    

The course works particularly well for teams within organisations who need to work together and would benefit from breaking down barriers, getting to know each other better, and communicating more effectively.  

Whilst this can be offered to participants from any country, all participants will need a strong grasp of the English language.  

The course requires a high-level of interaction and some movement in a flat space, so participants requiring assistance should alert the recruitment team in advance so that the tutor can enable them to access the session fully.

It would be beneficial for participants to come to the session with a reflection on the areas of communication where they feel they can most improve, preparing notes on any specific experiences where they hoped to change the outcome.

Programme details

The day is made up of four 90-minute sessions and seven improvisation topic areas. Each topic will be broken down into how it works, where it can be applied in the workplace, and practising it.  

At the end of the day, all participants will prepare an improvisation scene with their assigned team, utilising all they have learnt. 

Session 1 

• Introduction and warm-up  

• What do effective communication skills look like
• What improvisation is, and how it can enhance your communication
• Listening and responding  

• Moving from waiting to speak, to active listening

• Building natural responses

Session 2 

• Accepting the offer 

• Replacing ‘Yes, but’ with ‘Yes, and’ 

• Discovering the power of extending the verbal ‘offer’ in professional situations 

• Presence and thinking on your feet 

• Build comfort with unscripted speaking and staying present under pressure  

• Practise Q&A, difficult conversations, and unexpected questions 

• Character, relationships and audience awareness 

• Establishing who, where, and what for clearer communication 

• Tailoring your communication to the audience  

Session 3 

• Warm up and review  

• Message coherence 

• How to stick to one clear message in meetings and conversations 

• Sharing what matters, why it matters, and what happens next 

• Using mistakes 

• Embracing ‘messing up’ 

• Discovering ways to experiment and adapt 

Session 4 

• Group exercises and review  

• Put all your learning together with your team and share with the group 

• Review of your presentation, feedback and discussion 

Sam Birkett

Sam Birkett is a higher education and innovation marketing consultant with over 20 years’ experience across universities, professional services and edtech. He is also an interactive team-building director and amateur actor, bringing strong facilitation and presentation skills to his work.​ 

He previously led open-enrolment marketing at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, supporting a portfolio of 20+ executive programmes and contributing to significant improvements in global rankings and enrolment. Drawing on deep expertise in audience insight and proposition design, Sam now advises institutions such as LSE, the University of Oxford and UCL on end-to-end growth strategies spanning persona and value proposition development, LinkedIn lead generation and conversion, content strategy and multimedia campaign production.​ 

His practice is grounded in practical delivery, building measurable target-segment journeys and aligning teams around evidence-based messaging.​ 

To be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed a link and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate after the end of the course.

The certificate will show your name, the course title, and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Payment

Fees include course materials, tuition, refreshments and lunch. The price does not include accommodation.

All courses are VAT exempt.

Register immediately online 

Click the ‘Book now’ button on this webpage. Payment by credit or debit card is required.

Request an invoice

If you require an invoice for your company or organisation, please email us at business@conted.ox.ac.uk to request an online enrolment form.  Payment is then accepted online, by credit/debit card, or by bank transfer. 

Although not included in the course fee, accommodation may be available at our on-site Rewley House Residential Centre. All bedrooms are en suite and decorated to a high standard, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

To check prices, availability and to book rooms please visit the Rewley House Residential Centre website. 

Enrolled students are entitled to discounted accommodation rates for the purpose of study, at Rewley House, and can contact the administration team for the promotional code to use for making online accommodation bookings via the website.

Module code: O26C057N6Y

Please apply by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button below.

If you would like to discuss your application or any part of the application process before applying, please email us at business@conted.ox.ac.uk.

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