Communication and the Power of Improv with Lynda Goodfriend

Ever wonder how improv can change your life? In this HRchat episode Lynda Goodfriend joins Bill Banham to unpack the magic of acting and improv classes and how lessons can be taken into the office.

Lynda Goodfriend is an American actress who is perhaps best known for playing Lori Beth Cunningham (née Allen), Richie's girlfriend then wife on the TV sitcom Happy Days.

Having built lasting connections with legends like Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, Lynda shares fond memories and lessons from her time on the iconic sitcom. She brings to light the power of improvisation, recounting a friend’s inspiring journey from stage fright to public speaking prowess. Through personal stories, we highlight how embracing life’s spontaneity can boost your confidence and communication skills.

As the great Arthur 'The Fonz' Fonzarelli once said, "A positive attitude can really make dreams come true." Lynda exemplifies this attitude and shares good vibes as she discusses how acting classes nurture authenticity and vulnerability, crucial traits for personal growth and leadership. From quick thinking to creative expression, these skills transcend the stage and are invaluable in any profession. 

Our guest from the New York Film Academy wraps up the episode by sharing insights from their experience teaching both acting and directing, encouraging a broader audience to explore these transformative practices. 

Chapters

• 0:03 Improv and Acting for Communication Success
• 16:49 Building Confidence and Authenticity Through Acting
• 24:20 Connecting Through Acting and Filmmaking

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome to the HR Chat Show, one of the world's most downloaded and shared podcasts designed for HR pros, talent execs, tech enthusiasts and business leaders. For hundreds more episodes and what's new in the world of work, subscribe to the show, follow us on social media and visit hrgazettecom. And visit hrgazettecom.

Speaker 2: 0:26

Linda, it's my absolute pleasure to have you on the HR Chat Show today. Welcome.

Speaker 3: 0:31

Thank you, my pleasure.

Speaker 2: 0:40

So I'm a huge fan. I was a massive fan of Happy Days when I was a kid One of the best sitcoms out there. For those folks who are not lucky enough to have watched every single episode like I did, and perhaps are not super familiar with you, if there is anybody out there like that, why don't you just take a couple of minutes and introduce yourself to our audience?

Speaker 3: 0:56

Sure, thank you. Yes, I'm probably most well known as Laurie Beth from Happy Days. I was on the show with Ron Howard playing his girlfriend, henry Winkler played Fonzie. I do have students come up and say, oh, my mother saw you and I'm going. Oh, okay, well, I do think this generation is somewhat familiar with it, at least from the number of reruns, but I actually started my career in New York as a singer and dancer on Broadway and off Broadway and, as they say, off off Broadway, which is dinner theater in New Jersey, and I worked my way up. I came to Los Angeles, and I was very fortunate. I did a couple of other series, and Happy Days, though, was my heart. It was an amazing group of people, and we still keep in touch. We are still friends, we still help each other out. I can call on Henry to come and teach a master class for me or speak at a graduation, so it's, it was just a really life changing experience. It was great.

Speaker 2: 2:07

Thanks for listening to this episode of the HR Chat podcast. If you enjoy the audio content we produce, you'll love our articles on the HR Gazette. Learn more at HRGazettecom. And now back to the show. Yeah, absolutely incredible folks involved with this show. You and I were talking before we hit record today. Um, robin williams of course, for those folks who who don't remember that, that's kind of how his career started and that's how morgan mindy was uh was born. Um ron howard's, one of the greatest directors ever. You know that that's how he started. Henry henry winkler what what a guy. What an amazing guy, and and so many more, but what an incredible experience. Uh, I'd like to uh switch focus a little bit now and and talk about how improv uh connects with the world of work. Many professionals face nervousness or stage fright when, when public. I myself I organized a whole bunch of events for HR pros and leaders around the US, canada and the UK. How can acting and improv classes help individuals overcome these fears?

Speaker 3: 3:17

This is such a great question, and I have to tell, tell you, I love this area of acting, of performance, of changing people's lives. I'm going to start with a quick success story. Actually, a few years ago, a very, very dear friend of mine called me and said I just got a new job. She was a talent agent, worked her way up very smart, handling actors, directors, and she'd gotten a new job at a very, very important large agency, and their format was a weekly meeting where all the agents, heads of departments, even the CEO, would meet at a very large conference room and everybody would have to stand up and pitch their projects and ideas and what they were working on. And she said I'm terrified, I finally make myself stand up. I can hardly speak, I'm shaking, I'm sweating. And she said how can you help me? And I said well, the best thing to do is take an improv class. She said, oh, no, no, I'm too afraid to take an improv class, I'm afraid, I'm afraid of being afraid. So she finally, though, signed up for one over the holidays, and she called me after she was done and she said thank you so much, you're a genius. And I humbly took that compliment, but I said no, actually you're the genius because you were the one that put yourself out there and you swam with sharks and you learned not to drown. She said it not only changed her career, it changed her life. And she said I realized that everybody is feeling the same thing. Everybody was afraid to get up and it was very supportive and once we did, it wasn't so bad. And she actually is still taking some classes when she can. And she says it makes her more creative, makes her think on her feet. She said because life is improv, which is really true, and that's you know. That's just.

Speaker 3: 5:29

You know one story when I was teaching acting, I had a school for 15, 15 years and I taught a kid's class and I had parents that would come up to me and say, you know, I wish I did this when I, when I was, was a kid, because I'm afraid to stand up in front of people, and I started a class called Acting for Non-Actors and it was really wonderful to see the changes in people, how they, you know, develop confidence. So you know, I would love to talk about, I want to talk about fear, about communication. You know, to me, the main force of every relationship is communication. You know, I've taught lawyers. I taught an 88-year-old have I, it's parents, it's a salesperson.

Speaker 3: 6:27

Anybody in this world communicates and if you can't, I'm sorry. You can't communicate if you can't connect and engage. You can't communicate if you can't articulate and be heard. And you can't communicate if you're nervous and you're getting in the way of yourself. And you can't communicate if you don't feel you have something to say to the audience. So you know, I just I really to me acting classes.

Speaker 3: 7:03

There are different kinds of acting classes. There's improv, there's scene study, there's acting for camera. I'm going to I wanted to, along the line, talk about each of those. But improv is really dynamic because it hits all of those notes. No matter how brilliant your ideas are, how wonderful your mind is, if you can't communicate those ideas, wonderful your mind is if you can't communicate those ideas.

Speaker 3: 7:29

I think actors communicate and learn to communicate because they have to learn to be authentic. And that's kind of the theme for me is that to be confident, you have to be authentic, and most of us are not willing to be authentic. You have to be authentic and most of us are not willing to be authentic. Authentic to me means your head, your mouth, your heart and your feet are all aligned. So what you're thinking, what you're saying, what you're feeling and what you're doing are all working together, are all working together.

Speaker 3: 8:11

It means taking a risk, and that's probably where an improv class is most helpful, because we don't often take a risk to be ourselves. It's kind of how we grow up. As I said, I taught kids classes and kids up until about the age of six. For boys it's about eight, but girls it's about six. They are brilliant and fearless and they have great ideas. I love teaching kids. My own daughter was about three years old and I'm going. Kids can do a lot of stuff. Kids are really, really great at improv, great at acting out things. They just put everything into it until they become cognizant of their friends and judgment of their friends, you know.

Speaker 3: 8:57

So taking a risk is not comfortable. It's not automatic. The problem is, if we don't take the risk, we can't be who we are. If we don't let anybody see us, we don't see them. So you know, to me the most frightening words to hear if you're nervous are relax, just be yourself. I've heard that People say just relax, be yourself. Most people have no idea who that person is be yourself. Most people have no idea who that person is, and that's where an acting class really really helps you.

Speaker 3: 9:42

Whether it's improv or working on a scene, study class, you know it's we. We go through our life putting on masks, hiding who we are. We don't want to show fear, we don't want to be judged. It's the fear, the fear of failure, of not fitting in, of being judged, the fear of fear, and we all feel it. So what does an improv class do? An improv class puts you there in front of people, and the only way to get over the fear of getting up in front of people is getting up in front of people.

Speaker 3: 10:29

My friend, who I told you about at the beginning of this, you said it puts you in the moment, because what improv is is you are working with another actor or a group of actors without a script. You're flying blind, you are making it up as you go. Believe me, when I was in class with Robin Williams doing improv, it was frightening Because Robin was so brilliant. He would just work around you saying hysterical things, funny things, sometimes not funny things, because he just didn't edit anything. He just whatever was in his brain came out of his mouth which made him brilliant, and you would sit there and trying to open your mouth and you just couldn't get a word in because he would go way over your head.

Speaker 3: 11:22

So but it it, it keeps you present, it keeps you in the moment, it makes you think on your feet and it also helps you be creative. Helps you be creative, it gives you confidence in your ideas, it exposes you to your own authenticity on a regular basis. It uses that muscle, which is a muscle that you have to strengthen and use over and over again. It makes you nimble I say nimble in your mind so that you can think on your feet. As my friend said, in life you have to improvise. All the time you do, you have to pivot. So the other thing is you practice collaboration. You have to work with others towards a goal and you get to play and be silly. It's sometimes you might laugh, it is, it is great for the soul, but you have to keep doing it. You have to keep practicing that, that risk taking.

Speaker 3: 12:39

It's funny because I have coached thousands of actors for auditions. I was a manager for about 20 years and so many times actors would say to me I'd say how was the audition and they would go well. I went in and I knew all the lines and the minute I was in the room, everything went out of my head and I don't even know what I said or did. I left there but I don't really know what happened, and I would call it the big green octopus monster landed on your head and sucked out your brain, because everything goes blank, and I think a lot of us have experienced that. Everything is fine.

Speaker 3: 13:21

I've practiced it at home. I've memorized my speech, I know what I'm going to say, and then I get in front of the audience or the camera and your brain fizzles. What are they? This new term? The blue screen of death comes on, your brain melts down and that's scary, that is frightening, and most people it's self-preservation, most people it's fight or flight, and a lot of times it's flight.

Speaker 3: 13:57

When I'm feeling this, I feel like I'm gonna throw up. My legs are shaking, I don't know what. How to recover? Um, they've lost all of who they are. They've lost the connection to other people, they've lost the engagement. And how do you get what you want from somebody if you're not engaged and you're not connecting with them? So so you know you have to. You have to keep going through this.

Speaker 3: 14:26

It's, you know, it's like I ride horses. I have felt a lot of fear. I've been in the hospital so many times. My, my son-in-law says I need a punch card for the ER. It's frightening sometimes.

Speaker 3: 14:41

And yet somebody standing in front of an audience, a podium it's the same fear. The fear is not any different. Our bodies react the same way and so you know, going to an improv class is scary, but if you keep doing it it gets easier. Some people love it, some people go. I got to do it. It gets easier. Some people love it, some people go. I got to do it. It's like medicine I have to take, but again, it's the building of that strength in your brain. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to take risks. So it's not overcoming actually overcoming the fear, it's learning to manage it. You know that's kind of the crux of the improv class. I would say there's nothing like it. You can't imitate that in real life. You can practice at home, you can do it in front of your friends, but it's when, when the audience is there. As an actor, it's only when the audience is there that there's a problem. So you know, that's one of the great, great benefits of this. Um what else?

Speaker 2: 16:01

well, just just one. One thing you mentioned there in terms of that muscle you mentioned. I wonder is there a component of this which is nature versus nurture? Are some people naturally better at, for example, making a first impression, which is very important in the workplace? Are some people naturally better communicators? I like to try and pride myself on being a good networker. I was one of five kids we always had to. You know, vie for attention and communicate with each other and try to be gregarious. Do you feel like with some people, uh, that that training to get to that place where they are more authentic, they are more confident, is a lot easier, or are there actually foundational lessons for everybody in terms of making a good first?

Speaker 3: 16:46

impression. I think what you said. It's different for everyone. I've always been very shy. A lot of actors are very shy and I guess they're drawn to acting because I can be myself as an actor, which is ironic. I can be myself playing different characters because you're not judging me, you're judging this other person and I think so many actors feel that way. I have to tell you the truth If I go to a party, I'll probably hide in the bathroom for about an hour and then leave and say, hey, thanks, great party. It's like one-on-one sometimes scares me, but I can speak in front of 500 people. That's fine, because it's not honing in on that one person who can see me. So that's something that you know.

Speaker 3: 17:40

I used to hate to be on the phone when I opened up my acting school and I had to call people to enroll them. It was frightening for me, for whatever reason, and I got over it and, like now, you know, I ran a business for 20 years, basically on the phone. So you know, I think that for some people these things are easier and maybe it's like you said. You grew up with five, five kids. You probably had to fight your way for attention and you know, I don't know. I grew up as the middle kid. I, you know, I was the only one that went into the entertainment business. Maybe I wanted to try to. Hey, here's me, get the attention, but I don't know the reasoning. But it is absolutely easier for some than others. But, and I tell my acting students, everybody progresses at a different speed. You cannot compare yourself to somebody else, and sometimes those people who are really out there you think you know so many actors have the charm and the confidence and the bravado and sometimes that's not the real them, it's hiding the real them. So some people use that actually as a cover up. But I do. I think it takes practice like anything else. When I had my school I called it the actor's workout. Else, when I had my school, I called it the actor's workout because as a dancer, I knew you had to work out every day, no matter how many years you danced, you could be the head of a dance company. You go into class and you do class every day. You do the bar. Athletes work out every day. And I said actors have to work out, we all have to work out. It's honing those muscles of failure, putting yourself out there. I said. I encourage my own students when they graduate I say get in an acting class.

Speaker 3: 19:40

It is the only place you will take the risk to fail and you cannot grow if you don't take the risk to fail. You need to keep pushing that envelope to see how big it is, to see how much it can stretch. And I say this to business people you have to practice being authentic. You have to practice being authentic. You have to practice taking risks. I read that there are several companies that do this, but they have their employees sign a contract saying that I will do one scary thing a week. I will take one risk that might fail every week.

Speaker 3: 20:28

And I'm sure not everybody does this, because if your employer said, hey, make a lot of mistakes, great, you did a great job. Eight mistakes, you get a raise. But we don't do that in the workplace. We don't do that. If we're the head of the company, we have to look like we're in charge. We don't do that if we're the head of the company, we have to look like we're in charge.

Speaker 3: 20:46

We can't be vulnerable, and that is probably the biggest thing that an acting class can help you with. It allows you to be vulnerable. You're in a supportive group. Everybody is there, everybody has to figure out who am I really? And without judgment, because we are judged out there. We are judged, so it is a safe place to take risks and practice taking risks. That's the workout part. You have to practice taking risks in order to get out there and do it, and that's why I think it's. You know, I'm not a psychologist, but I've always said that studying acting is psychology of characters. Why do people behave the way they do? And human nature is fascinating. I just I love to go to the airport and just watch people, but it's. Everybody operates differently. But back to your question, yeah, I think it's a lot easier for certain people. Maybe they've been encouraged to be themselves, to be vocal, to express their ideas growing up, maybe they weren't, and so I think it is easier for some than others, but it is something you can learn to do and practice doing.

Speaker 2: 22:05

Okay, very good. So, listeners, what I just hear there is if you are a Happy Days fan and you want to get Linda's autograph, just go to LAX Airport. She's hanging about there on a regular basis. Very good, okay, so you mentioned just a moment ago that lessons from acting can for example.

Speaker 3: 22:23

Very funny, by the way.

Speaker 2: 22:26

Funny looking maybe moment ago that uh lessons from acting can, for example, very funny, by the way, funny looking maybe. Um, so you just mentioned there, for example, that uh acting lessons can help uh leaders be to be braver. Um, perhaps help them show how they can be more authentic. But what about what about being quick thinking? What about being more creative? These are key skills for leaders. But I'm going to challenge you. I'm going to mix things up almost in an improv fashion. Give me your answer in 60 seconds or less. Go.

Speaker 3: 22:53

Oh, absolutely improv, because you have to think of the moment. You know you're. It's like who are you, where are you, what are you, what are you doing? Go, solve this problem. There are a lot of theater games done in improv classes and you absolutely have to come up with answers right away. You are, yes, and you are talking with. You can't say, gee, I don't know. I'm sitting down now, so it really does. That is one of the great things. As my friend said, you have to improvise in life. It really helps you think in the moment. It helps you solve problems in the moment. You have to get to an end, you have to resolve a scene and I have had a lot of people say I became so much more creative because I had to think outside the box. This wasn't my thing, this wasn't in my wheelhouse. I had to think outside my box and it's doing it, it's doing it. That again helps you get better at it.

Speaker 2: 24:03

Okay, very good, we are already coming towards the end of this particular conversation. Linda, I can't believe that I'm. I'm sorry, but it's because these episodes are around 20 minutes or so. I could chat with you all day, and I've got a million more questions for you, but I guess we're just gonna have to get you back on again in the near future. Before we do wrap up for today, though, how can our listeners connect with you and learn more about all of the awesome things that you get up to?

Speaker 3: 24:28

I other than at lax, I would say that I, um, I'm at new york film academy and, um, I teach, uh, I teach, acting. I teach filmmakers how to direct actors and how to be actors. Um and uh, I am in los, in Los Angeles, and we also have a campus in New York and South Beach, so I would love for anybody to come by. Let's hear, hear from them.

Speaker 2: 24:56

Excellent, and then we'll, of course, be linked in the show notes so folks can learn more. But just for today. Once again, I'm a huge fan. It's been such an honor and a privilege to chat with you today. Thank you very much for being my guest.

Speaker 3: 25:09

Oh, thank you for having me.

Speaker 2: 25:12

And listeners as always. Until next time, happy working.

Speaker 1: 25:19

Thanks for listening to the HR Chat Show. If you enjoyed this episode, why not subscribe and listen to some of the hundreds of episodes published by HR Gazette and remember for what's new in the world of work? Subscribe to the show, follow us on social media and visit hrgazettecom.