Applied Improvisation: Business Teams Superpower

For many people, hearing the word improv conjures the image of sitting in a comedy club watching a troupe perform unplanned sketches. This is often partnered with a vague fear of squirming in their seats hoping not to be called on for suggestions or participation. Many others though have come to regard improvisation not as a comedy performance piece, but rather as a hugely beneficial business training tool. Applied Improvisation is the application of theatrical improvisation tenets in non-theatrical fields. In other words, improv isn’t just for comedy clubs anymore. As a business management and team building tool, applied improvisation is a surefire way to tap into your workforce’s teamwork skills and make them even stronger.

The Principles of Applied Improv

The reason why applied improvisation is such a superpower tool in business training is because the principles of improv align seamlessly with the values to which successful companies subscribe. If you’re looking for a way to help your company tap into a growth mindset and learn to work together as a healthy, supportive team, applied improv training can indeed serve as your superpower. Applied improvisation training won’t turn your employees into comedians; it will teach your team how to work within the following principles.

Agreement: The Acceptance of All Initiations

When assigning a new project to your team the first word you want to hear is an enthusiastic “Yes!” That small but empowering word just happens to the cornerstone of improvisation. Onstage, improvised scenes don’t get very far unless the players agree with every idea that is put forth. This philosophy of agreeing with all ideas, accepting all initiations is a wonderful way to put your team at ease and make them feel like there are no “dumb ideas.” Working from agreement leads to an abundance of ideas and within that wealth of initiations you’ll find some fantastic solutions to get the job done.

Yes AND: Build Upon All Ideas

In the world of improvisation, it isn’t just the word “yes” that is the star, it shares top billing with another word - “and.” In improv “yes and” refers to agreeing with all that is given in the scene and then building upon it. Working from a place of agreement gives people the confidence to put forth their ideas. Soon they’re saying “yes, AND, we could also do this…!” and working together to build upon one another’s initiations. This leads to rich ensemble thinking that is far stronger than the sum of its parts.

Gift Giving and Receiving

One of the toughest skills to master when performing improv is to learn to go with the flow no matter what anyone says in a scene. Our first instinct, when met with a new idea that might make us uncomfortable, is to shy away from it or shut it down. But improv teaches us not to do that; it requires participants to remain in the moment, to avoid planning, and to always go with the flow. Improvisers learn to see anything initiated in a scene as a “gift.” This is an immeasurablybeneficial skill for your workforce to master. It can help them to work as a team no matter what is thrown at them, saving precious time and energy.

Supporting Team Partners

This principle should go without saying but these days it’s easy for disconnect and even competition to occur within business teams. And we all know the disconnect has become more of a problem of late for fully virtual teams. That’s why the simple principle of having one another’s backs is more important than ever. Improvisers learn very quickly that selfishness and showboating onstage leads to chaos and usually the death of a good comedy scene. All players must work as an ensemble in order to succeed. This “got your back” philosophy helps your individual employees function as a unit and helps your team succeed better than ever before.

Reaping the Benefits - What Applied Improvisation Training Will Do for Your Team

Most managers have by now encountered improv workshops as a fun team building exercise and a way for your workers to take time away from the office and blow off steam. But Applied Improvisation teaches that the tenets of improv can be used as far more than having fun. This training is an invaluable tool that serves as a set of principles that, once adopted, can take your corporate team to a higher level of efficiency, happiness and success!