Delna Weil
Imagine a world where interactions are fast-paced and unpredictable, where without an advanced level of teamwork and creativity, the outcome will likely fall flat. This is the world of improv, where individuals come together to build scenes, characters, and dialogue on the fly, often guided only by suggestions from the audience and their fellow performers’ cues. The similarities between this world and the world of Zoom calls, status updates, and working sessions may not be immediately apparent, but upon closer examination, it’s clear that some of the most critical principles for success in improv also apply to our performance at work. Let’s understand this through this infographic:
Improv comedy, the secret to workplace success
Empathy-building: Walking in your teammates’ shoes
In improv, performers need to quickly understand and embody different characters, often with complex backgrounds or emotions, within seconds. This exercise in rapid empathy-building isn’t just a skill for the stage; it’s a powerful tool for the office. By practicing putting ourselves in our colleagues’ shoes, we can better understand their perspectives, challenges, and motivations. This empathy fosters a more inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone feels understood and valued. It’s about more than just being nice—it’s about creating a culture where everyone can thrive because they’re seen and heard.
Having your teammates’ back: The ‘Ultimate Trust Fall’
One of the first rules you learn in improv is that you’re there to make your scene partners look good. This doesn’t mean sacrificing your ideas but rather supporting your team and trusting that they’ll do the same for you. In the office, this translates to a culture of support where mistakes are not feared but seen as opportunities for growth. Knowing that your teammates have your back allows for a more daring, innovative approach to projects. This level of trust leads to a more resilient team, ready to tackle challenges head-on, knowing they’re not alone.
“Yes, and…”: The power of building on ideas
Perhaps the most famous improv principle is “Yes, and…”, a rule that encourages performers to accept what their partner has offered (“Yes”) and then add to it (“and…”). This principle is a game-changer in collaborative settings. Instead of shutting down ideas with a “No” or “But,” embracing “Yes, and…” fosters a culture of innovation and openness. It encourages team members to build on each other’s ideas, leading to solutions and concepts that might never have been discovered through solitary brainstorming. This approach not only generates a broader array of ideas but also ensures that everyone feels their contributions are valuable.
Incorporating the principles of improv comedy into the workplace can seem unconventional at first, but the benefits are undeniable. From building empathy and trust to fostering a more creative and collaborative environment, the lessons from the improv stage can help us create not just a more productive workplace but a more joyful and resilient one too. So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge at work, remember the improv mindset. Embrace the principles of empathy-building, having your teammates’ back, and “Yes, And…”.
Who knows? You might just find that the office can be its own kind of stage, where collaboration and creativity steal the show.
Delna Weil is a product owner at Flexion focused on building impactful user experiences. Her favorite part of the job is fostering collaboration to deliver exceptional results that exceed client expectations. She truly believes that trust and a willingness to understand diverse perspectives are the keys to innovative products that solve important problems.
