We were lucky to catch up with LB Adams recently and have shared our conversation below.

LB, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

The professional development industry is wide and varied, and so much of it is dependent on slide presentations and monotone lecturers. We’re different because we root all of our trainings in theatre strategies. That means that participants will have fun, they’ll learn, they’ll question what they thought they knew, and most importantly, they’ll DO. Interactive and experiential learning combined with a sense of humor provides our clients with really impactful and memorable training.

LB, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m LB Adams and I’m the Founder of Practical Dramatics. I’m a former actor and evergreen theatre nerd who found a voice and a path in the theatre. I’ve been able to translate what I’ve learned on stage and behind the scenes into an interactive training platform rooted in theatre strategies. I spent many years in corporate American working and observing constant communication and skills gaps.

Soft skills – skills like interpersonal communication, public speaking, conflict conversations, etc. are some of the most requested and required skills in the workforce, and very often the least attended to.

It’s become my mission to help people understand the power of their own voice. Through deliberate word choices, understanding the nuances of interpersonal interactions and reframing how we think we’re communicating with each other, I get to teach my clients how to have stronger and more profitable conversations. AND, have fun doing it!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Several years ago I attempted to launch a new product. I knew the market needed it. The problem was execution. At that time, I couldn’t deliver the promise of the product in a way that was sustainable over any length of time. It was a very costly and time- consuming failure.

Now, about five years later, that product is about to come to fruition in a wholly new way. The technology changed and I learned a lot about what I wanted for the business.

Failure doesn’t have to be the end of idea – maybe it’s the doorway to another, better one. Even if it takes a bit of time.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Absolutely! I’m a voracious reader and read practically anything I can get my hands on, but one book stands out in particular.
Seth Godin’s “Purple Cow.” Reading it was an eye-opening revolution.
I know that everyone can benefit from soft skills and communication training, but “EVERYONE” is not a client base. Seth’s book taught me that being “purple,” that is, highlighting what is unique, weird, and unusual about what you do is the thing that will attract YOUR customer.
We are not for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.practicaldramatics.com
• Instagram: @practicaldramatics
• Facebook: Practical Dramatics
• Linkedin: @LBAdams @practicaldramatics
• Youtube: Practical Dramatics