Improvisation and Management - can it really work together?

[Martin Ciesielski]

What does it need for improv to become an accepted management tool - like balanced score cards or budgeting? Isn´t it the problem that improv shows directly that you made a mistake and so you are responsible? the art of doing business today id mainly that you can point to someone else. no responsibility or at least only in case of success. what can be small steps to change this or: any examples where it already works (beside creativity and brainstorming sessions...)?

[Belina Raffy]

Hi Martin and All,

What a great discussion! I just read a Harvard Business Review article by Chris Argyris called 'Teaching Smart People How to Learn'. In it, he looks at why senior managers/consultants are prone to being defensive about change and development despite espousing continuous improvement as a key value. He talks about managers needing to examine their 'master program' - the set of rules and beliefs that govern their behaviour. I think improv can be very powerful for managers in examining where and when they impose rules on themselves which needlessly make things harder. I recommend this article and examining a few more that reverse the behaviours you mention (blame culture, inability to make (and learn from) mistakes, etc) and see where improv can fit/make those stronger...

[Sylvaine MESSICA]

Precision : my students are in Master Essec

[Sylvaine MESSICA]

I use improvisation to train my students and prepare to their futur job of manager and I use aplied io train improv every to train managers in their job. All th skills in management are concerned. It's really practical, but it need a real experience to transmit.

[Elvin K. Box]

Well, I use Improvisation to assist and support MBA students and Business Leaders get to grips with the Theory and Concepts that underpin Creativity, Innovation and Change. I would not say Impro cannot be used as a Business Tool in the mode that you express, because I have never tried!

I currently see Impro more as a 'Tool' to help and support Businesses understand and appreciate how to spark collective creativity, that will enable Innovation that in turn will ultimately drive change, that is appropriate to their individual organization.

In my view, the majority of organizations are not blame centres. It is just that they have no connection with ‘creative play’, such as Impro, and how it can support and assist a thriving innovative company via ‘thinking, saying and doing creatively’.

In essence, if organizations are not being ‘serious’ and ‘measurably productive’ then they perceive themselves as being frivolous. Once they can over come this particular ‘Hang Up’, then they can move forward to use, possibly, in the fullness of time Impro as a ‘Business Tool’.

Best,
eKb

[Sylvaine MESSICA]

I totaly agree with you, but my english level is not enough to send details like you. thanks

[Timothée ANSIEAU]

Hello there,

I have just join this network five minutes ago.
Interressed in impro since three years and theater since 8 years.
I'm currently finishing my studies of business and I'm making a research about improvisation and Managment.
I'm trying to proove the benefits of impro in managenent especialy on the productivity and the communication.

I would like to know if any of yours know some books which are dealing about this subect??

I ever been better to speak than write, and English isn't my mothertongue at all!! So I'm sorry for the many mistakes i have made.

[Anne Pensalfini]

The Artistic Director of the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota has written a book entitled, "Innovation at the Speed of Laughter." http://www.speedoflaughter.com/ I haven't read it yet but can vouch for John as an improviser, businessman and teacher, he's great!

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

Another interesting article to mention http://www.appliedimprov.net/blog/archives/2005/04/improvise_to_in.... on improvisation for innovation

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

Hello,
A list of publications exists on http://www.appliedimprov.net/blog/archives/2005/04/academic_resear_...

I have found lots of articles such as http://www.biz-improv.com/Biz_Improv_Characteristics_of_Improv_Prof...

I found a recent papert on "Influencing factors of improvisation in firms" in German http://www.springerlink.com/content/66325131x1q08r53/

One book (in French) I am using is "Mieux communiquer en entreprise grâce à l'impro théâtrale"
http://www.improvisades.org/news/news_detail.php?id=40. Another book on Management is in progress, but not published yet.

How far are you in your research?

[Timothée ANSIEAU]

Thank you for your information, it seems to be very interesting.
Impro world in paris is quite small actually i have already the book you suggest me in fact i have meet richard pineault one of the writer of the book. He is the organisator of a "festival" where i have participate.

For the moment I'm trying to get the more infomraiton as possible.
But it is still the beginning and as you can gess the task will be very large.
thank you .

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

Maybe can we start an European cooperation (at least German-French) on this research, integrating intercultural differences, if any.
If others want to join, welcome.

I know Richard and invited him to Heidelberg where we run a workshop two weeks ago.

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

As for any culture change, it requires mind-set change. The steps I can imagine are :
- in the training of future managers. In some countries Improvisation is integrated in the curricula of Management schools (US Universities withLeadership courses), we can spread the practice in more countries
- in the information of current managers, through books, magazines or any media, showing examples of successful managers applying improvisation without knowing it.
Note: I am also interested in spreading Improvisation to the German World of Management