Hello all! We are in a series called What does improv have to do with change management? In this series, I’m sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned so far from improv class that have direct application to my work as a change management practitioner. Last week’s post was Build the scene little by little. This week’s lesson is….

Stay in the scene

Many times, especially at the very beginning of my improv journey, I would want to “leave the scene” as the instructor put it. He talked about how after a few interactions with my scene partner, if I was present and listening well, we would have what we needed to dive in and build a great scene together. Due to nerves, inexperience, or being uncomfortable with what to say/do next, I would “leave the scene” by continuing to add information or changing key things about the scene (where we were, what we were doing, who I was etc.). While this may have helped me avoid feeling nervous and uncomfortable, it didn’t help my scene partner and I build an entertaining, successful scene.

Regarding change management work, this makes me think of staying on message. In something I’m working on right now, we’re talking a lot about the importance of establishing a clear, concise organizational change story so that everyone is “singing from the same song sheet”. If 10 different people get asked what a change initiative is about, each of them should give the same clear, concise answer.

Establish a clear, concise organizational change story so that everyone is “singing from the same song sheet.”

This gives us a solid foundation to “build our scene” on. Just like in improv class, we don’t need to leave the scene by continuing to add unnecessary noise. We can establish a solid foundation, then build on that foundation. We can provide new information as needed to continue constructing a successful change “scene”, but our foundational message or story will remain the same.

Closing thoughts

I want to hear from you! What has been your experience with staying in your change scene vs. leaving the scene? How has each approach impacted the change initiative?

Please post your thoughts and comments below. Let’s help each other become the best change management practitioners and enthusiasts we can be!

Thank you for reading. Until next time, take care and keep up the good work!

Mike