5 Improv principles that create great leaders

MANILA, Philippines – Life imitates art, some say, and perhaps that idea might be especially true for the art of improvisational theater (improv).

To those unfamiliar, improv is a form of theatre where everything is unrehearsed and unscripted. All the scenes and stories are created on the spot. Every show is completely unique, so you never know what’s going to happen next – and neither do the performers.

So to brave the stage with nothing but their wits, improvisers train themselves using basic improv principles that help them work together in the face of the unexpected.  After all, they need to ground themselves in something when nothing is certain. These principles help them keep cool when they’re caught off guard or help them make the most out of a sticky situation.

And this is where we draw the great parallelism between life and art, or in this case, improv. In both, things are uncertain, nothing is guaranteed, and a lot of winging it is involved (whether we admit to it or not). Great improvisers know how to make a any kind of scene work, and great leaders know how to make any kind of situation work.

So we thought that maybe we can take a page from the improvisers’ book and see how the skills they use on stage can be helpful for the many teams and groups we belong to.

1. “Yes, and…”

Arguably the most important and foundational improv principle, the idea of “Yes, and” is simple: accept and say “yes” to the situation or idea, then build on it. In improv scenes, this means never saying “no” to what your scene partner has just said or created, and just allowing it to happen and then building on it.

In a corporate or work setting, this means letting every team member speak out and saying yes to every idea put on the table, then finding a positive thing to build on. It means fostering a culture of encouragement, contribution, and collaboration. In our daily lives, when faced with not-so-ideal situations, we use this principle to learn to accept the cards we’re dealt and create something from it instead. This mindset creates positivity, and that is always a great thing.

2. Making your partner look good

In improv, there’s no such thing as “laglagan,“ or leaving people hanging, or throwing people under the bus. In fact, a popular pre-show improv ritual is telling everyone “I got your back.” On stage, the aim is to put your scene partner in the best light possible. No one person will be the center of attention; in improv, people shine brightest when they focus on the other.

When a system of support and trust is created, a safe space is created for people to feel good about what they’re doing and therefore work together more effectively. Great leaders make every person in his team the best versions of themselves, and create environments where they can flourish.

3. Be average

In a regular improv group, being average is the best thing you can be. This means never hogging the spotlight, or talking over other improvisers, or pressuring yourself to be brilliant all the time. It means just doing your part genuinely and honestly, and letting the scene take off on its own.

In any career, the overbearing stress to always be the best can become demanding and draining. In fact, perfectionism can paralyze us. As a leader, fostering a competitive atmosphere can backfire when people start obsessing over being better than the other. More average people working together is better than people fighting over who’s better. You’ll be surprised with what you can come up with when you let yourself be and trust that your teammates will do their parts as well.

4. Active listening

An improv scene is not an improv scene if no one is listening to the other person. The only way to move any story on stage forward is if you pay attention to what your scene partner is saying. How else are you going to say something that is relevant when you don’t know what was just said? This is a critical skill if you want to build ideas or solve problems, no matter what situation you find yourself in.

The very same thing can be said when dealing with circumstances off stage. When listening to and being considerate of everyone and everything involved, you’ll start to see where opportunities lie. Being too focused on just contributing instead of taking things in can create blocks or oversights. Instead, when genuinely listening, you’ll often find that everything you need is just in front of you.

5. Everything is a gift

On an improv stage, everything said or done is an offer if you choose to accept it. If you’re listening actively enough, there are openings to create everywhere – be it creating drama, comedy, or intrigue. The best and most creative improv scenes start when performers accept the “gifts” given to them with no judgment. They then use the magic of improv to turn it into something unexpected and spectacular.

This translates into both opportunity and gratitude. When leaders learn to treat everything as gift, they see possibility and purpose in anything that comes their way. These become outlets for progress and creativity. This mindset also allows for gratitude to manifest. When everything in your eyes is a gift, you become thankful and accepting. This, above everything, allows for positivity and centeredness. – Rappler.com

These are only some of the guiding principles that help improvisers navigate the unscripted stage. If you want to see them in action or try it out for yourself, check out the 2017 Manila Improv Fest shows and workshops at the PETA Theatre Centre this March 22-26. Improv groups from over 30 cities will be performing, including Brisbane, Tokyo, Mumbai, and Shanghai. For show and workshop inquiries, call PETA Theater Center at 0917 716 7357.

Facebook: 2017 Manila Improv Festival at the PETA Theater Center
Instagram: @manilaimprovfest