World's Worst Employee

In my improv class, we play a game called, “World’s Worst.” To play, someone calls out a job or profession, and then everyone tries to think of what the world’s worst person in that job might say and then we all try to get our ideas out as quickly as possible. Most of the ideas are fair, some suck, a few are irreparably offensive, and every once in awhile, one is hilarious. All of them are foul, rude, tasteless, or hurtful.

For instance, let’s say our suggestion is “Fast food restaurant employee.” I might step up and say:

“[Miming hocking a loogie and spitting directly at someone's face.] Welcome to McDonald’s!”

Then the dam bursts open, and others add:

“[Miming wiping hands on shirt and then wrapping a sandwich.] Hey, we’re still out of paper in the bathroom!”
“[Miming giving someone a once over.] A double? Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have a salad?”
“[Looking down over the counter at a child.] Does little Prince Charming want his Happy Meal? Because if you do, you’d better shut your goddamn mouth right this instant, you spoiled little shit!”

Got the idea? Clearly, this game has the potential to be Fun with a capital F.

Which is why I think you should play at work today. Maybe in your next staff meeting. Maybe you could call a meeting specifically to play it.

After a winning shot, call out a new profession and start over. You’ll know the winning shot because everyone will bust a gut laughing. FYI, it’s usually something with a racial or religious undertone, and bonus points if it also includes inappropriate sexual content. Side note: if your game is PG, your team is awful. Played right, World’s Worst isn’t even R… it’s NC-17 all the way.

Set the game up by letting everyone know that you want to try a new brainstorming exercise to clear those mental cobwebs. Let them know that for 10 minutes, there is no Line That Can’t Be Crossed. Everyone will love that. Sure, it’s cathartic, and catharsis is wrong, but that’s a small price to pay to help your team discover the courage to speak their minds, don’t you think? It’s like… a ropes course, except instead of testing people’s courage through physicality, it tests courage through humor.

And patience.

Besides, managers, your teams already play a version of this game behind your back every time you leave the room.

Why not join the Fun?

C’mon!

OK, OK, April Fools! I honestly can’t think of a wore game to pull from improv class into the workplace. Just imagine the lawsuit! If you’ve already played, now tell us true: how did it go? Are you fired yet? How many people are no longer speaking to you—more than five?

Final thought: do you have a brilliant quip about what the world’s worst employee would say? If so, please share! Anonymous comments welcome. I think we’d all love to read what you’re thinking…

Jason Seiden is Co-founder and CEO of Ajax Social Media, a training company that shows professionals how use social media to work more effectively.