I’ve learned a lot from improv over the past 30 years, little did I know when I first tried out for improv as a student at Calvin University, it would change my life and teach me valuable leadership skills along the way.
Improv includes thinking and reacting quickly, but there is structure to successful improv through rules and the skills used. Improv is more than yelling random thoughts out for a laugh. And within the rules of the game, there’s spontaneity, and in that spontaneity, the opportunity for leadership to flourish. Here is what those have taught me:
Yes, and . . .
Most people have heard of this number one rule of improv. Great leaders build on ideas, not shut them down. When someone offers a thought, “Yes, and…” keeps the momentum up. It doesn’t mean we operationalize all ideas but it does say: I hear you. Let’s explore it. Teams thrive when their ideas aren’t dismissed but expanded. “Yes, and” creates energy. “No, but” kills it.
Make Others Look Good
Want to be a great performer? Make your scene partner shine. Want to be a great leader? The same rule applies, make your team members look good. Leadership isn’t about spotlighting yourself. It’s lifting others up, celebrating their wins, being there for them when they fail. If your team looks good, you’ve done your job.
Listening Matters
If you don’t listen well in improv, the scene crumbles. I was reminded again this week that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. To listen well we have to be fully present. No electronics, no distractions, no thinking about your response. Just absorb what is being said. Listening is love and a super power. The more you listen, the more you understand. And the better your decisions will be.
It's Okay to Fail
In improv, not all our scenes go well. Sometimes I can’t think of something to say. But when you have team members who are there to make you look good, they will be there to help pick you up. And when we fail, guess what, we don’t die. We learn. Leaders can make mistakes. I’m reminded of Nelson Mandela’s quote: “I never lose, I either win or learn.”
Give Gifts
When improvising, a “gift” is anything you offer your scene partner — an idea, a character, a setting. If you know your scene partner well, you can give better gifts that make them look good. For those in leadership, giving gifts can look like giving credit for success, creating space to contribute, asking how you can help and encouraging someone when they need it. The best leaders don’t grab the mic — they hand it to others.
Improv has taught me a lot over the years. We all improvise every day. Even our structured days have room for spontaneity! I want to encourage you to think about how you can use some of the skills in your daily life; be open to ideas, listen well, make an effort to make others look good, give gifts, and don’t be afraid to fail.
Rick Treur co-founded and still performers regularly with River City Improv
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Rick Treur
Director of Talent & Leadership
Grand Rapids Chamber