The first step to becoming an improviser? Realizing you’ve been improvising your whole life!
To improvise means to adapt, to change, to stay open, to respond in real-time. And isn't that exactly what we’ve been doing since day one—figuring things out as we go?
1:1 conversation? Improvised. We don’t know what the other person will say, yet somehow we respond. We adjust our tone, our words, our body language.
Team meeting? Improvised. We might have an agenda, but discussions take unexpected turns. A tough question comes up, a new idea sparks debate, or a conflict needs to be addressed.
Business decision? Improvised. Sure, at first, we have data, experience, and a plan, but then new information comes in, unexpected challenges arise, and we have to adjust.
Great improvisers aren’t just quick thinkers. They might even take a moment longer to pause (no music without pauses!), reflect, and choose their response intentionally.
My most meaningful connections—both personal and professional—happen when I'm fully present. When I'm not rehearsing my next line but truly listening. When I'm not performing but authentically responding.
Great improvisers are:
- Present
- Self-aware
- Thriving in ambiguity
- Experimenting in their actions
- In tune with people and environment
That’s why improvisation is a core team & leadership skill! 🎷
Curious to learn more about this skill? Check out my short article Improvise! Sure — But What Does It Mean?.
Want to take action? In coaching, you develop self-awareness, refine your personal and professional decision-making, and learn to navigate complexity. Schedule your pre-coaching call or email me at Mail@ChristinePaulus.com.
Christine Paulus
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