How Improv improves Leaders and Teams
Last night, I had so much fun with our son attending the West End production “Austentatious” – an all-star cast who improvise a hilarious new Jane Austen novel every night! Inspired entirely by a title from the audience and performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment, it’s a riotous, razor-sharp show where swooning is guaranteed.
There is an interesting connection between improvisation (Improv) in art such as theatre or music, and team performance in a business context. The fundamental skills of improv are rooted in adaptability, presence, and collaboration – all of which are very important in leadership and team dynamics. Here are the key principles of Improv and how we can build on these to enhance team performance in business.
1. Be an Active Listener: be fully present and attuned to what others are saying
This applies both verbally and nonverbally. You can’t build on an idea that you didn’t hear. Improvisation starts with deep listening.
2. “Yes, And” Mindset: accept what’s offered (“Yes”) and build on it (“And”).
This encourages collaboration, creativity and psychological safety. It’s about co-creating rather than shutting ideas down. The opposite utterance: “Yes but” diminishes and closes people off.
Example:
Partner: “Let’s launch a pop-up next month at the South Bank.”
You: “Yes, and we could test it with our top customers first.” not
You: “Yes, but there are too many pop-up’s already at the South Bank.”
3. Be spontaneous: respond in the moment without overthinking.
Great ideas often emerge when you’re not filtering yourself too heavily. It helps you stay fluid and adaptive.
4. Trust: believe in yourself and your team, even without a script.
Improvisation only works when everyone feels supported enough to take risks.
5. Accept Mistakes: see failure as part of the creative process.
Mistakes become offers. They can be reframed and used productively, not avoided or feared. One of the cast last night offered wedge rather than wed and the whole cast riffed on it hilariously.
6. Be Supportive: it’s not about You, it’s about Us.
Improv works when it makes others look good; it lifts the team. Improv thrives on mutual respect. You’re not competing: you’re co-creating.
7. Tap into the Emotional Current: read the tone, energy, and subtle cues from others.
Improvisers must adjust to the emotional current of a scene or conversation. This is essential for connection and flow. Their antennae must be up and be responsive to other people.
8. Be decisive and committed to your choices—even when unsure.
Hesitation kills momentum. Strong commitment makes even odd ideas believable. Last night, one actor grabbed a moment to declare a flashback to a previous time, pivoting the conversation and the whole cast followed where he was taking it. The result was exciting, funny and sharp!
Why not try applying the five rules of Improv with your team particularly in your team meetings? Here they are:
Rule #1: Say “YES, AND” …rather than “Yes, BUT”.
Rule #2: Build upon people’s ideas and suggestions.
Rule #3: Don’t just ask questions—contribute new information that add to the dialogue and the collective understanding.
Rule #4: Reframe mistakes as opportunities because this reduces the fear of failure.
Rule #5: Encourage everyone to participate and to bring their A-game.