Picture this if you will: A stressed CEO decides to take a break by reaching into his desk for three juggling balls and heads for the conference room to ease the tension.
"It works — it really does," said Howard Mincone, a professional entertainer who counts juggling among his talents. "Juggling can relieve stress by taking your mind off business and creating a more relaxed atmosphere."
Mincone, a Clairton native now living in Finleyville, preaches that message whenever he conducts seminars for the corporate world. Those presentations are just part of a resume that also includes performing as a physical comedian, juggler and magician at venues across the United States and abroad via cruise ships.
He will bring those talents to Mon Valley YMCA in Carroll Township for a six-week "Learn to Juggle" program beginning Monday.
"We're very excited about these classes," said Angel M. Gulick, program and aquatic director at the YMCA. "We like to present a variety of programs — classes that are different and give our members and the community the opportunity for new experiences. Howard certainly enhances those efforts."
The point was emphasized on a recent Monday evening as Mincone, 45, presented an introductory session at the YMCA.
"The basic idea is to have fun and learn how to relax in a different way," he said before taking center stage. "We really don't expect anyone to become a professional juggler after participating in these classes. Rather, we want this to be an enjoyable learning experience that will stir some new activities for the brain.
"Yes, you will learn the fundamentals of the art (juggling), but you also will learn to laugh at yourself in a positive way," Mincone said.
Gulick said the concept works well.
"When Howard came in to talk with us about presenting the program here, we really didn't know what to expect," she said. "But he got us involved with his impromptu shtick. He had us juggling and laughing at ourselves because we had no idea what we were doing. The juggling balls were bouncing all over the place, and we were having a great time. The experience made us feel better and we were hooked (on the program)."
Mincone, 45, uses the same approach in his corporate workshops and seminars, complementing the comedy with the analogy between juggling and workplace responsibilities.
"(Seminars) begin with individual instruction," he said. "As individuals advance, groups are formed for multiple passing techniques. The juggling accomplishments translate into workplace teamwork. It will have a tangible effect on communication skills, productivity and morale, as well as providing self-confidence and problem-solving abilities for the individual."
As an example, he distributed six juggling balls to members of the audience at the introductory program.
"I'm the department manager," he told those receiving the balls. "What I'm doing is giving each of you an assignment — the ball is now in your court, and I expect you to follow through."
Mincone acknowledged that there are skeptics to his concepts.
"Someone always says: ''How is juggling going to help us?' " he said. "They wonder: 'Why am I sitting through this?' "
He responds by saying juggling can improve hand-eye coordination, relieve stress, help with time management, increase productivity, improve communication between supervisors and staff, and enhance problem-solving skills.
"Just a short time away from your desk or machine is relaxing," he said. "An employee who is experiencing less stress is a more productive worker, and that means more efficient operations for the boss and the company."
Humble beginning
Mincone, a 1982 graduate of Serra Catholic High School in McKeesport, didn't set out to be an entertainer, workshop director oR motivational speaker.
"I worked in my dad's grocery store in Clairton for eight years before graduating from high school," he said. "I thought I'd be heading in that direction (food) when I was looking at colleges."
He attended Penn State, Community College of Allegheny County and Robert Morris University and earned degrees from the latter two. He worked for Nestle USA for four years before "getting caught in" a company downsizing move in the early 1990s.
Unemployment led him back to his love of entertaining and a career transition that has moved forward since.
"I always enjoyed making people laugh — in school, at home and the (grocery) store," he said. "I was not your traditional class clown, but it was fun getting a reaction from people for those one-liners."
He now includes juggling, magic and improvisation in his act, which is described as physical comedy. He was strongly influenced by such comic legends as Harpo Marx, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke and John Ritter.
"They were geniuses," he said. "It wasn't always about what they said. Their movements were just as meaningful — every pratfall, every time they rolled their eyes or did a double-take. No one will ever duplicate what they did, but we always try to emulate them."
When he's not busy with corporate training sessions, trade shows, private parties or YMCA presentations, Mincone performs throughout the country. He has appeared in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New York City and other major venues and also is a regular with Carnival Cruise Lines.
Comedy mix
In all that he does, Mincone mixes his comedy with information about the origins and history of juggling and basic instructions in the art.
"It's something that adults and children can learn, although I don't recommend it for kids under 12 or 13 years of age," he said. "Their hand-eye coordination isn't prepared for what has to be done in terms of concentration and actual juggling."
As part of the introductory session at Mon Valley YMCA, Mincone demonstrated the use of various types of juggling balls and clubs. He encouraged those who said "I can't do that" to "stick with it ... never say never."
The approach worked.
"I'm going to drop them," Jim Gallingani of Monongahela said with a laugh as Mincone handed him two juggling balls to toss back and forth.
"Sure you will, at first, but you'll get the hang of it," Mincone said.
Sandra Bennett of Belle Vernon also had doubts as the balls landed everywhere but in her hands. Eventually, however, she was tossing them back and forth with ease.
"This is really fun," Bennett said.
Mincone said he is inspired by such reaction and results. And also by his family.
"My wife and children are most important in my life," he said. "Their support and faith in me is what really inspires me to put a first-class operation out there."
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