Improv Skills for Leaders

A couple of years ago I took an improv class with a couple of buddies from Leadership Houston thinking it would help me with public speaking. Instead, it taught me more about higher education leadership than most leadership retreats ever have. Here’s what improv teaches you - - fast: 1. “Yes, and…” beats “No, but…” every time. In improv, if you shut down an idea, the scene dies. In higher ed, we say we value innovation, but often respond with policies, committees, and “that’s not how we’ve done it.” Great leaders built on momentum. 2. You’re not the main character. If you try to steal the spotlight, the whole scene collapses. Sound familiar? Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room, it’s about making everyone else better together. 3. Listening is the real skill. Improv isn’t about being funny. It’s about paying attention. Miss one cue, and you’re lost. Higher ed leaders who don’t listen, to staff, faculty, students, or data, end up delivering punchlines no one laughs at. 4. Structure enables freedom. Improv looks chaotic, but it only works because of shared rules and trust. Same with institutions: governance and policy shouldn’t suffocate creativity. They should support it. 5. Fear is the fastest way to kill progress. Nothing freezes an improv scene faster than fear of looking stupid. Nothing stalls higher ed faster than fear of change, rankings, risk, or “what will people think?” Here is my biggest takeaway: The best leaders aren’t scripting every line. They’re creating the conditions for great scenes to happen. Higher ed was built on control and there’s plenty to go around. Right now, it needs better listening, shared trust, and a willingness to say: “Yes, and… let’s see where this goes.” And honestly? If more leaders took improv, we’d have fewer awkward meetings and way better outcomes. And more laughs!

The Burnout Briefing — brought to you by Work y Más. Real talk. Smart tools. Your top questions (or musings) answered on work, leadership, and burnout, especially when everything gets messy. Sometimes, the best way to lead well — and beat burnout — is to follow the funny. I’ve spent the past two months in an improv class taught by Ray Cordova at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre partly to stretch creatively, to feel the humility of learning something new, and partly because it terrified me (in a good way). I came for the creative energy, but I left with lessons about how to stay steady and playful when the scene goes sideways. Here are a few of my favorite takeaways that (funny enough) also double as workplace strategies: 1. Live in the chaos. Stay curious in the mess. Don’t rush to fix. Observe, listen, and notice what’s shifting. Ask: “If this is true, what else could be true?” 2. Find the game. Who am I? Where are we? What are we doing? Spot the pattern worth building and play with it. 3. Follow the fun. Joy is a clue. Energy is data. That’s where the good stuff lives. 4. Make your partner look like a genius. Great leaders help others feel seen and valued. A ‘no’ shuts down your partner’s reality. Whether you’re leading or just stepping in for a beat, build something better, together. And NEVER punch down. 6. Structure = coordinated courage. Improv tools are like grappling hooks for uncertainty. They give you a nudge and a safety net. 7. You can be anything but not everything. Go deep, not wide. Choose to be the main, the side, or the garnish — whatever best serves the moment. 8. Take up space with purpose. Bring what only you can. But ask: Does this moment need me? Step in with intention, not ego. 9. Show up when it’s hardest to stay. Sit with the tension, the messy, the unknown. Lead with generosity so others feel something real — laughter, wonder, connection. It’s contagious. Turns out improv is just like life and work: messy, surprising, and way more fun when you dare to show up fully. Not every creative choice landed. But I stretched. I made space for others to shine. I said yes, and. And, as this opening reminds us, maybe the better question is: Why not? For more practical tips or workplace musings, sign up for Work y Más here → https://lnkd.in/eWHsRwpA #improv #comedy #ucbcomedy #burntouttolitupbook #burnoutbriefing #leadership #work #wellbeing #futureofwork #workymas

⭐ The Power of Simplicity: Thinking Inside the Box ⭐ Years ago, I asked improv professor and author Patricia Ryan Madson what she was working on. She paused thoughtfully before replying, “I’m working with my clients on thinking INSIDE the box.” Her answer transformed my work with my clients. At first, it seemed counterintuitive—most folks imagine that improv requires coming up with wild, wacky ideas. But Patricia highlighted in her response was that the true superpower of great improvisers isn’t in being clever; it’s in paying attention. It’s in listening deeply, observing what’s already present, and daring to be obvious in their response. I was reminded of this during an advanced improv class I taught recently at The Mopco Improv Theatre. The biggest challenge for the group wasn’t coming up with ideas but resisting the urge to over-offer. As humans, we often feel the pressure to prove ourselves—by being smarter, more creative, or more valuable. But in that pursuit, we miss the profound opportunities right in front of us to listen, support, and build. Whether we’re coaching a team, leading a meeting, or navigating relationships, the most effective and innovative path is often the simplest: 🦻 Listen deeply. What is already being said or offered? 🤝 Receive fully. What is the need or opportunity in this moment? 💥 Respond with one small thing. What’s the next step that builds meaning, connection, or progress? As we begin 2025, I see more organizations and individuals realizing the importance of these skills. At Koppett, we’re getting a surge of requests for programs focused on listening, empathy, and presence. Folks are recognizing that good leaders and facilitators don’t overwhelm with complexity. Instead, they create clarity and focus by holding space, modeling calm, and offering one step at a time to help groups achieve their goals. As Kelly Leonard says, “Improv is loud mindfulness.” It’s a practice of being present, seeing what’s in front of us, and building on it without overthinking. So, as we step into this new year, let’s embrace the power of simplicity. Let’s think inside the box, listen more deeply, and take the next step together. What’s one small thing you can pay attention to today that will inform a small helpful action? #Leadership #Facilitation #Improv #Listening #Empathy #Simplicity #Presence #Mindfulness #Collaboration

She bombed in front of 100 executives. Then she turned it into her superpower. In her early 30s, Elisabeth Swan discovered improv comedy. No script. No safety net. Just you, a stage, and whatever the audience throws at you. She was also building a career in Lean Six Sigma, helping organizations solve problems and eliminate waste. On the surface, improv and process improvement seem like they belong in different zip codes. But here's what she learned performing with ImprovBoston: Improv IS problem solving. It just happens on stage. You take unknown inputs. You build with what you're given. You say "yes, and" to move things forward. You listen, really listen, because your next move depends on it. And the secret? Improv has structure. Rules. Rehearsal. Structure sets you free. That's also the heart of continuous improvement. PDSA, DMAIC, 5 Whys; they're not cages. They're launchpads that save you from the terror of the blank page. So when Elisabeth led Starwood Hotels' Six Sigma transformation, she carried improv with her everywhere. Then came Sardinia. A gorgeous resort. Global leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Four simulations running simultaneously. She'd been awake for 25 hours. Her partner was unprepared. A European leader torpedoed the exercise. The simulation broke. She was devastated. She'd gone from a Wall Street Journal write-up to a spectacular faceplant. The next morning, a change management consultant dragged her out of her misery: "Elisabeth, have you never bombed before?" "No." "Oh, PLEASE. Let me tell you..." And one by one, they all shared their disasters. Their spectacular failures. Their human moments. That day taught her something improv had been whispering all along: Mistakes are gold. Not because failure feels good. But because how fast you pivot from a misstep to a learning moment defines your trajectory. And you can play a role in helping other people survive their faceplants. Elisabeth worked with Starwood and Marriott for decades after that. Years later, when a partnership collapsed at the start of COVID, those same improv muscles kicked in. Accept reality. Build with what you have. Keep moving forward. She started writing weekly stories on LinkedIn. Sharing her faceplants. Drawing illustrations. Asking: How did YOU deal with this? The response was overwhelming. It became an award-winning book (Picture Yourself a Leader). It opened doors to keynotes and speaking. All from the same place improv taught her to operate: Say "yes, and." Listen deeply. Make others look good. When you fall, get back up. Then help the next person up, too. When I asked Elisabeth what she wants her legacy to be, she said: "She helped me see how capable I am. She made learning and making mistakes fun. She made me feel like I mattered." After spending time with her, I believe she's already living that legacy. Read the full conversation with Elisabeth in this month's Faceplant Files.

Improv makes me a better administrator. I always loved SNL, but in high school I lewrned about improv in a new way. Took drama, got involved in plays, and took classes over the summer at The Second City in Chicago. It taught me a lot and I put those skills to use often (much more than my math class from undergrad, but that’s a different post). So here’s three rules of improv that I use in my work. 1. Yes, and - This is an important rule in every space! The goal here is to keep moving forward. In a scene, you want to accept what your partner is offering and add to it. In my career “yes, and” or “no,but” are a lens in viewing how I champion or support my team, provide opportunities for growth, and also acknowledging not all things can move forward, but we can find a way. 2. Play in the present and use the moment - This rule is helpful when assessing the landscape and making strategic decisions. This rule also has no guarantee of a specific outcome. By being present, listening to what people say and don’t say, and guiding through the context, you can get some powerful results. By being willing to take the risk, I’ve been able to grow FTE numbers, reclassify staff, increase budgets, and build partnerships across areas that help to move the needle. 3. Learn the rules before you break them - Improv is built on being present, listening, moving the scene forward, and so much more. The rules help to train folks to respond and engage in a different way, but once you understand them, you can break them. Administration is similiar in understanding the rules your playing by (yes, they change at each institution), learning the right places to push, the wrong waters to wade into (there’s no guarantee to get this one right and happy to share stories offline), and the power in understanding the system to start to shift it in a new direction. Now, let’s be clear if you want to invest in change, you better be prepared for the hits you’ll take. It is worth it though whether you see the benefits or not during your time, I can promise you that. What’s something you learned as a kid that you use in your field today?

"Why don’t they speak up?" he asked me in frustration. The leader I was coaching shook his head. “I keep asking my team for ideas, but they just sit in silence.” I asked him, “Has it always been this way?” He paused. “Well… they used to, but the fact is most of their ideas aren't practical. So I have to constantly step in and refine them.” And there it was. In that moment, it became clear: every time he 'refined' an idea, he unknowingly sent a message that their input wasn't good enough. This is where leaders get stuck. We think our job is to get it right—to push, to refine, to correct. But when we do that too often, we kill the very thing we’re asking for: open contribution. So I shared a simple shift with him—the improv trick of "Yes, and..." instead of "no" or "but". Instead of shutting ideas down, build on them. In a corporate setting, that sounds like: "I like that, and I’d like to add…" or "That’s an interesting perspective, and I’d like to challenge that a bit…" The next week, he tried it in a meeting. When someone suggested a new approach to a project, instead of jumping in with feedback or caution, he said, “I like how you are thinking, and we could also explore...” The result? By doing this consistently, it wasn't long before the room started buzzing with ideas with colleagues chiming in to build on each other's thoughts. By keeping the conversation open, it signals respect, and makes people want to engage. Because let’s be honest—who wants to speak up just to be shot down? When leaders shift from correcting to cultivating, they don’t just get better ideas—they build teams that feel seen, heard, and empowered

Most people walk into meetings, presentations, or leadership conversations with one assumption: Everyone is waiting for me to mess up. So they over-prepare. Second-guess themselves. Stay polite instead of present. But what I see — again and again — is that this belief is wrong. Recently, I ran an improv-based leadership session with a Randstad team. On the surface, it looked like play. Simple exercises. No scripts. No slides to hide behind. What was really happening was more interesting. People were practising how to listen under pressure, instead of waiting for their turn. They were learning how to support each other in real time, rather than competing for airtime. They were experiencing what it feels like to speak without needing to be perfect first. The moment that gives me the most satisfaction is always the same. When people surprise themselves. They realise it’s okay if something doesn’t quite land. It’s okay to laugh — at themselves, and with each other. It’s okay if things don’t go exactly to plan. Because most people in the room are actually rooting for them to succeed. And when that shift happens, confidence changes. Not because people learned what to say. But because they learned they could trust themselves — and the room. And when you see this shift happen at the individual level, you start noticing a bigger pattern across teams and organisations. This is the gap I see in many high-performing organisations: Smart people. Capable leaders. Strong intentions. But under pressure, listening drops, presence tightens, and collaboration becomes cautious. Creating safe-to-fail environments — where teams can rehearse for real-world pressure — changes that faster than another framework ever will. Because people don’t perform better when they’re less human. They perform better when they feel safe enough to show up fully. Where do you notice this show up most for you — meetings, presentations, or team discussions?

What can leaders learn from the world of improv? Plenty, it turns out. Leaders improvise all day long. Last summer, I dropped my daughters off at a camp without archery or swimming—just lots of laughter. They were learning improv at The Second City in Chicago and had a blast. Their experience made me realize just how valuable improv techniques can be for leaders. Here are a few connections... Say Yes/And ↪ This mindset builds on ideas, fuels innovation, & creates cultures where every contribution counts Really Listen Up ↪ Active listening means absorbing multiple perspectives, making informed decisions, & strengthening connections Fail Forward ↪ Instead of fearing mistakes, view every setback as a chance to learn, improve, & have the courage to keep going Adapt & Thrive ↪ Quick pivots & flexibility allow you to seize new opportunities with confidence Collaborate to Win ↪ Trusting your team & working together builds an environment where shared goals lead to collective success Be Present ↪ Staying fully engaged in the moment allows you to respond authentically to challenges, opportunities, & needs Fully Commit ↪ When you give your all, you inspire others to take bold actions, embrace challenges, & strive for excellence In my own career, I’ve found that the best leaders bring improv’s spirit of spontaneity and collaboration to every meeting, brainstorming session, and even the tough conversations. They have a unique ability to make the work fun. Speaking of fun... If you want to explore the intersection of leadership and improv further, I spoke with Bob Kulhan, former Second City performer and founder of Business Improv, on my podcast (link in the comments). His approach is unique, impactful, and fun—I’ve experienced it firsthand! Which of these improv techniques will you practice right away? Let me know in the comments below! *** ♻️ Re-post or share so others can improvise with the best 🔔 Turn on notifications for my latest posts 🤓 Follow me at Scott J. Allen, Ph.D. for daily content on leadership 📌 Design by Bela Jevtovic

I was at an improv comedy class this weekend, and it got me thinking about how the same rules of improv can make us better communicators at work. In improv, the key rule is "Yes, and..." — you accept whatever your partner gives you and then add to it. Imagine how much more productive our work conversations could be if we applied the same principle. Instead of immediately dismissing an idea or jumping to solve a problem, what if we first acknowledged it and then built on it? Think of a tough conversation you've had at work recently. How could it have gone differently if you'd used "Yes, and..." instead of "No, but..."? Here are 12 improv-inspired workplace hacks I'm taking to heart: 1/ Build on ideas instead of shutting them down 2/ Fully engage in conversations 3/ Collaboration over competition 4/ Learn, don't blame 5/ Focus on the here and now 6/ Be open to new opportunities 7/ Adapt to changing scenarios 8/ Let go of control 9/ Use laughter as a connector 10/ Experiment with confidence 11/ Balance initiative and support 12/ Reinforce positive behavior The best leaders I know are great communicators. Technical skills might get you in the door, but communication skills keep you in the room. What communication tips have you found most helpful in your career? _______ ♻️ Repost to inspire your network to create a thriving corporate culture. 👉 And follow @Sharon Grossman for more content like this. 🚀 Join 50,000+ leaders reading my weekly newsletter on business strategy and leadership.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃 One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned for leadership came not from a boardroom, but from the stage. Improv taught me an important lesson in being able to pivot. Improv comedians work without a script. They listen intently, build on what’s offered, and trust their instincts. The magic happens not because they plan every move, but because they respond 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, with courage and collaboration. For business leaders, that’s a masterclass in adaptability. ✔️ Can you stay present when the conversation shifts? ✔️ Do you build on ideas rather than shut them down? ✔️ Are you willing to lead without a perfect script? In leadership, just like in improv, the ability to listen deeply, take smart risks, and say “𝘆𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱…” can unlock innovation, empower teams, and strengthen culture. I explore this more in my TEDx talk. You can watch the full talk here: https://lnkd.in/eUpCgkx6 #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #ExecutiveDevelopment #ImprovInBusiness #TEDx