Here we go. Post #1. Lift off. On your mark, get set, GO! Through this blog we will laugh a lot and learn together from successes I’ve found, secrets I’ve discovered, and horrible mistakes I’ve made. We will look at life and leadership through the lens of improv comedy.
I’ve been a professional improv comedian for 20 years. I absolutely love it. Not only do I get to bring face stretching, stomach clutching, tear streaming laughter to audiences across North America, I’ve been working in a teamwork and leadership crucible for 20 years.
Improv is the essence of teamwork and leadership. Trust is crucial. Fear and ego must be overcome. Forward momentum is key. Listening is essential. Improv has so much to teach us about teamwork, leadership and life in general.
I guarantee Improv has something to teach you, too. To be certain, let’s take a little test. Improv has something to teach you if:
1. You are part of a team with other people that don’t think exactly like you.
2. You lead a team with other people that don’t think exactly like you, or each other.
3. You want to move forward but feel stuck. It’s like you’re standing in Jello. You know what needs to be done but it’s hard to move and kind of comfortable. Who doesn’t like Jello? Then your competition eats you alive.
4. Taking risks and leaping into something new sounds wonderful and terrifying. Mostly terrifying.
5. There is a jerk in your life that you have to work with. The best part of your day is dreaming about epic ways they might fail. Dreams may include projects that tank, horrible faults being exposed in a very public way, Kanye West grabbing their microphone, their pet dying, or watching them catch the bus…from behind.
6. Your team hears you talk about the importance of transparency and vulnerability. But you worry about the future and keep your failures close to the vest.
7. You planned for one outcome but were dealt another. Like my first date. The girl said yes. My dad let me use his car. The date was perfect except for the drive home. That’s when I wrecked my dad’s car and covered my date in cow manure. True story. I did not marry that girl.
8. You tell yourself you are a creative, but in truth you are unorganized, inefficient and lack motivation. All of which hinders your creativity.
9. Fear is a part of your life like a bad back tattoo. You can’t remember getting it, and hate that it’s there. You feel like everyone is snickering or judging when you turn your back. The only thing that could possibly be more painful and costly than doing nothing is doing what it takes to have it removed.
10. Your ego makes Howard Stern look humble.
11. Your life has become more predictable than a Hallmark movie.
12. You are human.
So, did you find yourself somewhere on this list?
Me too. I’ve struggled with each of them at one point or another. The great news is that I’ve learned a lot as I’ve fallen flat, moved forward, listened to others and made difficult changes. I can’t wait to share it all with you via this blog.
A number of years ago I took a hard look at what really makes improv work. Then I created a number of professional development workshops that use improv to teach key elements of teamwork and leadership. We’ve had a lot of fun and great success as we’ve helped organizations navigate change and move forward.
Now I’m taking my years of experience leading a team of improv actors, and the best material from the workshops we teach, and bringing it to a wider audience via this blog. I hope you will join me in this journey. One thing improv has taught me is that we never stop learning. I’m sure you have something to teach me, as well. I can’t wait!
Here’s a question to get started.
From the “Improv has something to teach you if:” list, which ones resonated with you the most? List your top three. Feel free to list just the numbers, or include a brief explanation.
I have lots to share but I’ll make those items a priority as we begin this journey together. I can also give short insights and answer brief questions as I monitor the comments.
Thank you for joining me in this journey. Let’s get started!
Question: From the “Improv has something to teach you if:” list, which ones resonated with you the most? List your top three. Feel free to list just the numbers, or include a brief explanation. You can leave a comment by clicking here.
1 & 2 – Try and remind myself different doesn’t always mean wrong/bad. So, use my one mouth less than my two ears. When in the leadership position, field the ideas, find common threads, and know the strengths/passion of each member to help channel their efforts into the right point of production.
8 – When I find myself here, I often tap my “being resourceful” and “make it work skills” with mixed results ranging from Creative Outcome to Hot Mess with Acceptable somewhere in the middle. Organization, efficiency, and strong motivation can be next to impossible to Bulls-eye everytime. This is where I do believe a improv skills can come in handy.
Thanks Carrilee! Love the idea of being resourceful and making it work. I know a lot of actors and artists who use the excuse of being an actor or artist for poor habits. Every improv scene has an underlying structure that helps the actors know where they are and what needs to happen next. Even the most creative person needs a semblance of structure or their creativity is wasted. I’ll be sure to post more on this.