The Glasers
  • Home
  • About the Glasers
  • What We Offer
    • Products
    • Online Learning
  • Testimonials
    • Testimonials - All
  • Contact
  • Online Learning Testimonials Page
  • 2020 BTC Full Course Descriptions
  • 2021 BreakThrough Communication
  • 2021 The Results Are In
  • Sustain the Change

Good Leaders Are Good Improvisers

3/15/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Good leaders can learn a few things from improvisational comedians.  That’s why Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade, and other improv troupes have adapted their trainings for the corporate world.
 
Writing in the Harvard Business Review Tom Yorton, CEO of Second City Works and author of Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses ‘No, But’ Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration, shares three key principles as applicable to business as they are to creating an engaging scene:
 

  1. Always take care of your partners: Like members of a stage ensemble, your teammates need your cooperation and support. Pay attention and don’t grandstand!
  2. Take responsible risks: Even in the best improv theatre, not every scene works. Accepting little failures paves the way to big success, especially if you share the risk with team members who can help when things go off track.
  3. Follow the Follower: When a scene is working, the audience can’t tell who is “leading” it—and doesn’t care. Even if you initiate an idea, be willing to follow someone who takes it in a different direction.
 
We see another huge similarity as well: Whether in the comedy world or the corporate world, no ensemble or team will thrive unless members truly listen to one another. 

 
We want to hear: Watch a comedy sketch, for example, from Saturday Night Live to Monty Python. Can you see how the ensemble members support one another by listening and building on ideas? Are you part of a work team that does the same? To join the conversation, click "comments" on our Community of Practice Forum.
 
If you would like to read more about creating a habit around masterful communication, check out our book: Be Quiet, Be Heard: The Paradox of Persuasion.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All
    BreakThrough Conflict
    Children & Young Adult
    Community Of Practice
    Hardwiring Teamwork
    Leadership
    Persuasion And Influence

Advanced Learning
Communication Capsule Blog
Research
Press/Media Resources
Organizational Culture Survey
III Survey
Resources
CoreSkills
Glaser & Associates, Inc.
Executive Offices
1740 Craigmont Avenue, Eugene, OR 97405
541-343-7575 | 800-980-0321
info@theglasers.com
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
© 2019 Glaser & Associates.  All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • About the Glasers
  • What We Offer
    • Products
    • Online Learning
  • Testimonials
    • Testimonials - All
  • Contact
  • Online Learning Testimonials Page
  • 2020 BTC Full Course Descriptions
  • 2021 BreakThrough Communication
  • 2021 The Results Are In
  • Sustain the Change