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Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Future Of Work Will Not Be Scripted
Kelly Leonard is the Vice President of Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City. There is only one thing we can be certain of in the future, and that's the fact that we don't know what's going to happen. We can surmise probabilities and make educated guesses, but the future is unscripted. Given my life's work in the field of improvisation, it makes sense that I would want to find the connective tissue between a skill in ongoing, improvised co-creation and what experts highlight as the most important qualities for navigating the unknown at work and in life. As Deborah Perry Piscione and Josh Drean forewarn us in their 2023 article in the Harvard Business Review, 'Buckle up, because the world of work is on the verge of seismic transformation. The 20th-century norms that still govern our professional lives are about to be shaken to their core. Those who harness these forces will unlock new realms of productivity and creativity, while those who resist will risk becoming relics of a bygone era.' There might be no way to fully future-proof yourself and your organization, but you can double down on the skills needed to become more change-ready. Here are three specific skill sets and exercises that can help you harness the ability to be more agile in the face of what's next. When speaking to groups, I often ask for a show of hands if they think the world would change for the better if we improved our listening by just two percent. All of those hands go right up. Although it's something we do every day, very few of us practice listening. That's not true of improvisers. When we are creating a scene out of nothing, all we have at our disposal is the information others are giving us. It becomes vital, then, to listen not only to the end of sentences but to what might lie underneath what's being said. But isn't what's true for our stage performers just as true for ourselves? The improv exercise 'Last Word' is a terrific way to practice deep listening. In a conversation, require yourself to start your sentence with the last word the other person said. You will find yourself more fully present, considerate and engaged with the person across from you. The ability to successfully work in groups is essential in times of uncertainty. As futurist Gary Bolles writes in his 'The Next Rules of Work' book, 'A team is a band of problem solvers.' Harnessing a diversity of strengths, skills and knowledge lies at the heart of effective change management. We have a phrase in our work: 'All of us are better than one of us.' The improv principle of 'Yes, And' is the starting point for successful collaboration within a team. When your group is brainstorming something new, it's vital that you say, 'Yes, And' to every idea at the beginning. There will be plenty of time to weed out the bad ideas from the good ideas later. 'Yes, And' creates a space in which all ideas are vetted and played with, ensuring that early-stage novelty is protected. The modern workplace is drowning in communication: emails, texts, phone calls, Zoom calls, chats and DMs. The ability to create sticky messages in such a noisy environment is wholly dependent on one's skills in storytelling. 'As social creatures who regularly affiliate with strangers, stories are an effective way to transmit important information and values from one individual or community to the next. Stories that are personal and emotionally compelling engage more of the brain, and thus are better remembered than simply stating a set of facts,' writes neuroscientist Paul Zak. Here's a storytelling practice you can try on. Pick an accomplishment of yours and tell it to someone in 60 seconds. Have the listener repeat that accomplishment back to you in 30 seconds; now, offer that accomplishment in 10 seconds. What information were you left with in the final round? The skill to scale up or scale down our communication is incredibly useful if we are to meet the moment we're presently in. In an unscripted future, our best strategy is to lean into our most human-centered skills: generous listening, collaborative teaming and communication grounded in rich storytelling. But these skills don't just show up. It's essential that we find ways to practice them in order to co-create the scripts we want to see in the world. Forbes Business Development Council is an invitation-only community for sales and biz dev executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved 'Cheers' Star Dies at the Age of 76
Beloved star of Cheers, George Wendt, died Tuesday, May 20, at the age of 76, according to Variety. He starred on Cheers for 11 years, earning six consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for the role of Norm Peterson. He went on to star on The George Wendt Show and frequently appeared on Saturday Night Live as Bob Swerski, one of the Chicago Superfans along with cast members Chris Farley, Mike Myers, and Robert Smigel. 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time," said his publicist Melissa Nathan in a statement. Prior to his success on television, Wendt came up in Chicago's The Second City in the 1970s. After his TV success, he got back to his stage roots. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 In 1998, he starred alongside David Dukes and Stacy Keach in the London West End production of Art. He later reprised the role on Broadway opposite Judd Hirsch and Joe Morton. On Broadway, he also played Santa in Elf the Musical, and played Edna Turnblad in several productions of Hairspray in Canada. In 2014, he co-starred with his wife, Bernadette Birkett, in a Kansas City-area production of Never Too Late. A year later, he starred with Tim Kazurinsky in Funnyman at the Northlight Theatre in the Chicagoland area. He later reprised the role of Edna Turnblad in a Baltimore production of Hairspray. Wendt also played Willy Loman in the famous Arthur Miller play Death of a Salesman in Canada in 2017. In 2023, Wendt returned to television briefly when he competed on season 9 of The Masked Singer as "Moose." He was eliminated in 11th place out of 21 contestants. Wendt is survived by his wife, Birkett, of 47 years, and three children, Hilary, Joe and Daniel, and stepsons Joshua and Andrew. Wendt was also the uncle of Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis; Sudeikis' mom, Kathy, was Wendt's sister. Notably, Wendt's Cheers wife, Vera Peterson, was never seen on screen — it was a running gag on the show — but Vera was voiced by Wendt's wife, Birkett. When Sudeikis really hit superstardom with Ted Lasso, Wendt said on an episode of Still Here Hollywood that he could not be prouder of his nephew. 'He's such a great kid. Very proud. Proud especially, you know, not only of the success, but he's solid. Have you read profiles and stuff? I mean he is such a mensch, so smart, so thoughtful. I mean, it all comes out in the show. Right?'
Ammon
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Ammon
George Wendt, who played Norm on 'Cheers,' dies at age 76
Ammon News - Actor George Wendt, who once played the ever-loyal Norm on "Cheers," died Tuesday morning at his home at age 76, his family confirmed in a statement through his publicist. "George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him," the statement said. "He will be missed forever." Wendt was one of TV's most recognizable faces as he appeared in more than 260 episodes of the popular Boston bar-set sitcom. His character, Norm, was a jovial beer lover who sat at the same stool at the bar, which shared the show's name. Norm was a dedicated patron of the bar 'where everybody knows your name,' proving the adage true when the bar would call out 'Norm!' when he walked in. A Chicago native, Wendt began his career at The Second City comedy theater. He joined the improvisational group after he dropped out of the University of Notre Dame with a 0.0 grade-point average, according to his Second City biography. Wendt returned to higher education to study economics, however, at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. He revisited some of his favorite old haunts with The Kansas City Star in 2016. NBC
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who Is George Wendt's Wife, Bernadette Birkett & How Many Kids Do They Have?
George Wendt and his wife, Bernadette, were married for well over four decades. Wendt was a noted actor, widely known for playing Norm Peterson in NBC's Cheers. He passed away on May 20, 2025, in his sleep at the age of 76 at his home. Fans are now curious to know more about him, including details about his personal life. So, here's all you need to know about Wendt's wife, her profession, and their kids. George Wendt is married to Bernadette Birkett. Wendt and Birkett's paths initially crossed at Chicago's The Second City theater in 1974. In 1978, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony. They have appeared together in several projects, including a family skit on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Additionally, Birkett played Wendt's Norm's on-screen wife, Vera, in the Cheers sitcom (via Variety). The couple's children often share photos of them on their anniversary as a tribute to their long-lasting bond. Bernadette Birkett is an actress. It remains unclear from which institution she completed her studies and her subject. She appeared in an episode of Taxi in 1981, where she played Doris Marie Winslow. She appears to have a vast filmography but is widely known for her performances in Heartbreakers (2001), Mr. Mom (1983), and St. Elmo's Fire (1985). In recent years, she appeared as Rose in two episodes of Arrested Development. George Wendt and Bernadette Birkett share three kids. Their children's names are Hilary, Joe, and Daniel. They never shy away from showcasing love and support to their parents. For instance, Hilary once posted a marquee for The Roast of George Wendt on Instagram. Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon. The post Who Is George Wendt's Wife, Bernadette Birkett & How Many Kids Do They Have? appeared first on Mandatory.
India Today
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
'Cheers' actor George Wendt dies in his sleep at 76
Actor George Wendt, known for his role as the beer-loving barfly Norm on the 1980s hit sitcom 'Cheers' died on May 20. He was more than a decade, George Wendt's portrayal of Norm, the cheerful, beer-loving regular at a Boston bar, earned him six straight Emmy nominations and cemented his status as a television icon. His entrance on 'Cheers' was always met with a resounding "Norm!" from fellow patrons, reflecting the character's lasting family said he died early Tuesday morning, peacefully in his sleep while at home, according to the publicity firm The Agency per AP, in a statement as by the actor's family, they said, 'George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever.' The family has requested privacy during this in Chicago in 1948, George Wendt began his comedy career at The Second City, where he also met his future wife, Bernadette Birkett. Beyond 'Cheers', his work included appearances on 'Saturday Night Live', 'The Simpsons', and films such as 'Fletch' and 'Forever Young'.'Cheers' debuted on September 30, 1982, and initially struggled with low ratings. However, NBC president Brandon Tartikoff believed in the show, and it earned an Emmy nomination for Best Comedy Series in its first season. By the time it ended 11 years later, around 80 million viewers tuned in for the Wendt quickly became a fan favourite, both inside and outside the bar. His entrances were always met with a hearty 'Norm!' and his punchlines were consistently sharp. When asked, 'How's a beer sound, Norm?' he famously replied, 'I dunno. I usually finish them before they get a word in.'
