3 improvisation principles to use in business

In the face of continuing uncertainty, we've been working hard on new ways to help businesses create, innovate and adapt- so we've officially launched our Applied Improvisation offer (or, as we like to call it, "Improv-ing Business").

Applied Improvisation can be used in a multitude of ways- including sessions for online events, leadership programmes or to help teams develop actionable solutions to business challenges. 

​Before you delve deeper into the possibilities of Applied Improvisation, here are the 3 founding improvisation principles you should bring into your business:

1) Say "yes"
If there's one thing that encapsulates making something out of nothing, it is saying "yes" to what is being offered. If a suggestion is made, even if you don't instantly like it, you will get further in developing it into something good by accepting and building on it rather than shutting it down with a "no", or crippling it with a sly challenge ("maybe... if you think it would work...") or a "yes, but..."
Saying "yes" opens you up to possibilities and allows for collaboration to take place.

2) Get rid of your agenda
Your idea is not the only idea. It almost certainly isn't the best idea. The way you see the world is the originality you bring to the table... but everyone else has a unique view too, so don't stifle others to push your own ideas forward. Trying to force your idea through, or impose it on someone else's reality is contrary to every concept of teamwork and collaboration and is anathema to good improvisation.

3) Make and build on offers
"He who gives information is a gift-giver; he who asks questions is a thief."
Don't expect others to generate the ideas for you out of nothing. Make a statement - or be open to the statements of others - find the offer that is in there and, by saying yes to it, build it into another offer for someone else. There are no bad ideas. There are no mistakes. Everything is justified because, if you have complete trust in those around you, no situation is irredeemable.

Want to know how you can use Applied Improvisation in your organisation? Get in touch or check out our Applied Improvisation page for more details.