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 what we’ve been doing since day one – finding our way as we go?
1:1 conversation? Improvised. We don’t know what the other person will say, yet somehow we respond. We shift 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 hidden conflict wants space.
Business decision? Improvised. Sure, at first, we have data, experience, and a plan – and then new facts show up, surprises hit, and we have to adjust.
Great improvisers aren’t just quick thinkers. They often take an extra beat to pause (no music without pauses!), reflect, and choose their next move carefully and intentionally.
My most meaningful connections – at work and in life – happen when I’m fully present. When I’m not rehearsing my next line but really listening. When I’m not performing but responding in a true, honest way.
Great improvisers are:
- Present
- Self-aware
- Thriving in ambiguity
- Experimenting in their actions
- In tune with their people and environment
That’s why improvisation is a core team & leadership skill! 🎷
Curious to learn more? Check out my short article Improvise! Sure — But What Does It Mean?.
Ready to act? In coaching, you grow your self‑awareness, sharpen how you make choices, and learn to move through complexity with ease. Simply book your pre-coaching call or email me at Mail@ChristinePaulus.com.
Christine Paulus
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