Life unfolds as a tapestry of impromptu moments, weaving unpredictability into our existence. From chance encounters that forge lifelong friendships, maybe even love to unexpected opportunities that alter our paths, spontaneity shapes our journey. These unscripted instances, whether joyful or challenging, infuse life with a vividness that planned events often lack. Embracing the unplanned fosters adaptability and resilience, reminding us that the beauty of existence lies in its surprises. That beauty resides in each one of us if we are open to seeing it. 

These impromptu moments are hidden opportunities, golden tickets, winning jackpots, and much more if we have the willingness to act in that present moment. The ebb and flow of impromptu moments teach us to find harmony between preparation and spontaneity, mirroring life and presenting treasures to us as much as we agentically bend and shape the future into our rich narrative that defines our unique story amidst the ever-unfolding canvas of life.

Having taught for the last 14 years, sometimes those impromptu movements of teaching and learning can be stamped out of us as both facilitators and students through unbridled rules, misguided assumptions, overcomplications, poor leadership, and plain comfort with the status quo that no longer serves us.

Teaching and learning has completely changed and here’s why. In our training:

We transformed FEAR into COURAGE and threw out the old teaching and learning playbook.

We forged a new paradigm of learning and education (pedagogically and technology).

We placed students as both the teacher and learner simultaneously.

We celebrate our achievements and honor each of our paths as improvisers, leaders, and humans on our journey.

Most leaders and organizations would agree that getting 15 people on the same page is a difficult task. This is why organizations and their employees are hungry for better training of their workforce. 

However, embarking on the Improv for Innovation bootcamp with 14 talented humans was an adventure that not only transformed my perspective on the future of training but also this learning has unleashed a wave of creativity and growth for all.

From the very first day, the journey was one of courage and camaraderie. 

Taking Fear and reframing it as Courage. That feeling you get, the bubbles, the voice in your head, that’s not fear — it’s courage. It’s the ultimate unlock. Stepping out of our comfort zones, we discovered the remarkable power of embracing vulnerability and the art of hacking fear for good. This transformed us from hesitant individuals into a united team, breaking down barriers and cultivating a sense of unity that extended beyond the classroom.

“The techniques of the theater are the techniques of communicating.” — Viola Spolin

With my longtime co-pilot and adventure seeker, Christine Alexander (who was being streamed live on eight different TVs around the classroom for 40 hours, over five days, with mics all around the room to make a seamless omni present facilitator) we ventured into uncharted territories of training and learning. 

Next, we began the great transformation, moving the theatrical art of improvisation from the stage to the boardroom and in between. We grounded our approach through a four-part model of layering learning driven by impromptu exercises.

We found that the skills learned weren’t just confined to the stage. The art of maintaining eye contact and the practice of “yes, and” not only enriched our performances but also seamlessly integrated into our professional lives. These techniques became tools for enhancing communication, collaboration, and overall presence in our work driving performance metrics, increased employee retention, and greater ROI on innovation initiatives.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use the more you have.”

Day by day, we broke through the walls of self-doubt, judgement, biases, the built up discomfort with working people, and uncovered a wellspring of creativity that was always within us but hidden, not yet revealed individually and collectively. 

The bootcamp became a safe haven where we experimented with ideas, suspended reality, and learned to play with purpose. Concepts like “call backs” enriched our thinking, weaving past successes into present endeavors and painting a collaborative approach to innovation that constantly evolved. These concepts, foundational to the best practices of innovation, are often mentioned but rarely articulated in a way for learners to take, run, apply, and actualize. These foundations run deeper and wider to the core of what makes us human with subjective experiences in this collective world.

Next, we had a quick visit from America’s Got Talent Star Noah Royak, who helped us connect the role of performance and business through his journey.

As the bootcamp evolved, the journey was transformative as it celebrated the beauty of nonverbal communication and the richness of storytelling. We realized that some of the most profound dialogues occur without uttering a single sound, highlighting the importance of gestures, glances, and expressions in building connections. 

The in-between of collaboration and innovation unlocks the desired outcomes of these valuable jewels. It’s through these nuances that deep trust, understanding, and personal bonds are formed that ensure the scaffolding for a culture of innovation to thrive. Culture building is in the small grounded game, in the human impromptu experience.

Through each exercise, we embraced spontaneity, opened ourselves to change, and honed our critical thinking. We experienced firsthand the impact of tonality and effective questioning in shaping conversations, a lesson that resonates deeply in business and life. 

We focused on banana writing with our celebrity writer guest Matthew Solan, and how language is both limiting and opportunistic when describing through our senses. This was a revelation, as the lexicon of innovation has been muddled with misuses, misconceptions, and lack of grounding. 

The innovator’s journey framework offered insights into persuasion and change management, illustrating the importance of empathy and understanding different perspectives and the competing worlds that need to be articulated for galvanizing change and influencing change across the thresholds.

The culmination of our journey on the final day was a testament to the power of play, creativity, and collaboration. Our newly formed Improv Troupe performed a one-hour set that reflected the newfound skills we had acquired and how they could be applied in various contexts, from personal daily interactions in life the impromptu experiences in the workplace.

This bootcamp reimagined education by prioritizing psychological safety in fostering an environment of trust and exploration all deeply pivotal for corporate explorers venturing a new path. 

I implore leaders, managers, and organizations seeking to provide value in their return to the office strategies to ensure your organizational cultures are safe for ALL of your employees. 

The journey was a reminder that traditional boundaries of training can be shattered, giving rise to transformational experiences that ignite innovation, foster connection, and enrich lives. It’s called building a culture that embraces us as humans and celebrates the deep similarities we have on this journey of life.

Just as heroes embrace the unknown to fulfill their quests, we stepped into the realm of improv, finding our voices and unleashing our inner superhero. The fire of hope and inspiration within us burns brighter than ever, propelling us to infuse innovation, play, and connection into every facet of our lives. This adventure was not just a course; it was a symphony of growth, a dance of creativity, and a celebration of human connection.

Endlessly grateful to be on this journey with each one of you! Thank you for filling up my cup!

Your Co-Pilot,

Steve