Hello all! This is the final installment of a series called What does improv have to do with change management? In this series, I’ve shared some of the lessons I’ve learned from improv class that have direct application to my work as a change management practitioner.

1. Give a sh*t, be emotionally invested, and care about people
2. Have a “we’re in this together” mentality
3. Be in the present moment and listen instead of planning your response
4. Conflict can happen, own it and move forward
5. Yes and, meet people where they’re at
6. Come in with a perspective and know it can change
7. Trust yourself, there is no one right answer, just commit
8. Take a breath, give yourself some space
9. Emotions matter
10. Use fewer words, say more with less
11. Build the scene little by little
12. Stay in the scene
13. Effort is ugly
14. Take the gifts you are given
15. Be open and curious
16. Expand your comfort zone
17. Remember to take care of yourself

When I look at this list one of the things that stands out to me is how few of the lessons have to do with the technical, “how to” aspect of change management work. Zero, in fact. None of the lessons I’ve learned in improv about the change management discipline have anything to do with templates, assessments, analysis, strategies, or plans.

100% of the lessons have to do with how to show up as a human being and how to treat myself and those I’m fortunate enough to work with as human beings (not stakeholders, resisters, a deliverable, or someone to be moved from here to there) and how to treat myself and others with inclusion, dignity, and respect.

I wonder what would happen if we, as change practitioners, took a more humanistic approach to our discipline and our work. I wonder what this would look like in the day-to-day of what we do. I wonder what impact it would have on the results of our change work, the well being of those we work with, and on our own well being. I plan to explore answers to these questions over time in the work I do. Won’t you join me?

What would taking a more humanistic approach to change management work look like? How would it impact results, the well-being of those we work with, and our well-being?

Closing Thoughts

Another thing that amazes me when reviewing the list of what I’ve learned is what a happy accident this was! I decided to take improv classes for a number of reasons, but one of them wasn’t to make me a better change management practitioner.

I want to hear from you! What’s something you’ve done for fun that ended up informing your change management work?

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