The Improvisation Edge Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work

by Hough, Karen

• ISBN13: 9781605095851
• ISBN10: 1605095850
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781605096599
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-03-07
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Summary

Trust is the oil of organizational effectiveness. It is what enables people to work together, share ideas, take risks. Without it, an organization will suffer severely. But with all of the pressures and difficult decisions in business, trust can be in short supply.There are all kinds of resources out there about building trust.The Improvisation Edgeis unique in that it draws on the wisdom of those who are truly experts in the dynamics of trust-building: theatrical improvisers. Think about it: other than combat, no situation requires more extreme trust than improvisation. You have no script, costumes or set. All you have are your fellow improvisers. The skills, philosophy and behaviors of improvisation are radically collaborative-and when you collaborate on such an intense level, you intrinsically engender trust.For the past twelve years Karen Hough has been applying the lessons of improvisation to the workplace, with spectacular results.The Improvisation Edgedescribes four principles that will help leaders, managers, trainers, and front-line employees adopt the improviserrs"s mindset to improve communication, collaboration--and have a great time at work. Yours"ll learn techniques to create a positive environment, encourage fearless participation and selfless collaboration, play to your own and your colleaguesrs" strengths, and turn surprises, mistakes and disasters into opportunities for something new, unexpected and maybe better than you planned.Hough leverages all of the elements that make improvisation so entertaining: story, surprise, connection, and interaction. She provides both case studies from organizations who have embraced these new ways of working and exercises for individuals, pairs and teams.The Improvisation Edgeoffers a fun, engaging and very hands-on way to build the kind of organizational trust and collaboration that makes breakthrough business results possible.

Author Biography

Karen Hough is the Founder & CEO of ImprovEdge, a company that creates learning experiences, training and consulting using improvisation to teach business skills. ImprovEdge currently employs more than 25 people and has a presence in 7 cities. Ms. Hough has been a keynote speaker for events such as the PricewaterhouseCoopers Metro Women’s Initiative conference, the Legal Marketers Association National Conference, and the International Computer Negotiations US Conference to name a few. Ms. Hough is a graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne, Paris IV. Ms. Hough has been a professional improviser and actor for 20 years.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction
Your Biggest Problem at Work and the Most Unexpected Solution	p. 1
The First Secret of Improvisation
Yes! Space	p. 15
The Second Secret of Improvisation
Building Blocks	p. 45
The Third Secret of Improvisation
Team Equity	p. 81
The Fourth Secret of Improvisation
Oops to Eureka!	p. 121
Conclusion
Practice. Then Celebrate!	p. 147
Notes	p. 151
Acknowledgments	p. 155
Index	p. 157
About the Author	p. 163
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