Beyond the script: Improv for advisory confidence
Summary
Host April Walker interviews Jennifer Diamond, CEO of Spire Consulting Services, on applying improv techniques to enhance client advisory skills. They discuss the "yes, and" principle to foster collaborative conversations, moving away from rigid compliance mindsets toward present-moment listening. Diamond shares practical exercises for attuning to clients and highlights her upcoming AICPA Engage session on improving communication confidence.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Improv techniques for advisory confidence
Defining improv: Presence over performance
Why accountants struggle with unscripted conversations
The 'Yes, And' principle: Listen, accept, build, collaborate
Handling resistant clients and 'Yes, But' responses
Leveraging CPA pattern recognition as a superpower
Practical exercises: Attunement and curiosity questions
Communication skills in the age of AI and automation
Embracing curiosity and collaborative creation
Upcoming travel and AICPA Engage conference details
Conclusion and ASCPA Tax Section membership benefits
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