Planning for the Unplannable: Lessons in Improv

In a fast-moving industry like media, you need to think on your feet – often in tricky, high-pressure situations (think: that moment your client is looking at you, waiting for an answer to that hairy question they’ve just asked).

In this fun and interactive Inspiration X session at MFA EX 2023, Kate O’Loughlin, Associate Strategy Director at Initiative, and Leah Franco, Strategy Manager at Initiative – two NIDA-trained presenters who study improv in their spare time – shared three improv exercises that can boost your quick thinking.

Yes, and…

Foster a growth mindset.

Look for opportunities to add to a statement, rather than subtract from it. Starting your sentence with “yes, and…” to build upon the previous speaker’s comments is a ‘build not bash’ approach that fosters a growth mindset, and creates a more accepting environment. It also helps move the conversation forward.

Paraphrase what’s just been said

“So what you’re saying is…”

Politicians use this technique all the time. When you repeat back what the speaker has just said or asked, it shows that you’re actively listening and buys you more time to formulate a response.

Saving grace

Simplify your focus.

Being experts in our industry, we suffer from the weight of knowledge, which means we can occasionally go down a deep rabbit hole or off topic when speaking. And sometimes we need a hand to be pulled out – but done in a way that doesn’t diminish the impact of our words.

The ‘saving grace’ technique is about hearing what your partner is saying, latching onto one word, accepting that it’s correct, and then building to a close. 

This technique requires you to learn your partner’s ‘help’ signals, whether it’s deer in headlights eyes, speaking too quickly, running out of breath or going off topic. Spot one of these happening and step straight into ‘saving grace’ mode.

Pick up more great tips from Kate O’Loughlin and Leah Franco’s MFA EX talk here.