The Humor in Business Part 2: Can Improv Teach Us About Business?

Before you dive in, be sure to check out The Humor in Business Part 1: How Does Improv Relate to Startups?

Well gang, it seems as if class is in session once again.  In case you were absent or missed out on Part 1 of The Humor in Business, let me introduce myself.  My name is Bobby Miller Jr. and I’ll be your professor today.  I’m an actor and writer, but most notably, I’m an improviser. I’m also still a student, generally because I’ve been performing improv for just a year and a half, but also because in improv (and life), no matter how long you’ve been doing, it you’re always learning.  And that also sounds a lot like entrepreneurship, doesn’t it? 

When my troupe LSR rehearses, we all pool together the knowledge we’ve accumulated (from podcasts, improv books, etc.) since our last get-together and start brainstorming. This is valuable improv philosophy that can easily be applied to the startup world. 

So entrepreneurs; without further ado (and self-promotion), I’d like to you to take your seats and put your thinking caps on because it’s “time to get learned!”


Practice hyper acceptance

This is a step up from the basic “yes and…” concept we discussed in Part 1. The goal of hyper acceptance in improv is to support your partner in what they are saying and build on it by adding something. The way it is made “hyper” is by overly accepting their idea to the point that it becomes your own. Your partner then does the same with what you have said. In addition, never use the word “but”. The word “but” is nonexistent in hyper acceptance.

When applied to the business and startup spheres, hyper acceptance becomes a way of turning a good idea into a fantastic idea. Ignore the part of your brain that thinks of limits and impossibilities. Embracing hyper acceptance will allow you to explore a realm of truly unique thinking that you may have never encountered before.

Be in the moment and stay out of your head

During an improv scene, it is critical to stay engaged in what is happening only on stage.  When on the sideline, it’s important to listen and pay serious attention. Much like improv, the business world moves at an extremely fast pace.  You may be an entrepreneur working on a startup idea—someone else probably has the same idea.  If you don’t pay attention and do your research, they could easily pass you. That being said...

Fail big 

There is no greater learning experience better than failure. In improv, performers often think of something is hilarious...until it is said aloud. Oftentimes, jokes can create a room full of crickets. This is normally followed by the improviser putting their head down and trying to find a way to exit the stage. If it’s a bad joke, let the audience know you meant it to be a bad joke (even if you didn’t). Who knows?  Maybe admitting your joke could come across hilarious to your audience.  Admit when you’re wrong and celebrate when you’re not

One of the most famous examples of “successful failure” comes from Clorox.  It took the company 408 different formulas to finally find one that works. Today, we know this product as super-successful Formula 409 cleaning solution. There will always be those few people who know of your failures, but everyone will remember your successes as well.

 Find the game 

In the course of a scene, performers are only able to communicate within that particular scene. They cannot pause it and have a side conversation to discuss what is funny. That is what “game theory” is for. Game theory in a scene can be defined as the way both performers are able to nonverbally communicate what the funny thing is so they can then play off of it.

Luckily in entrepreneurship, game theory doesn’t have to be nonverbal. Game theory in business is finding what the successful or unique idea is and building on that. Twitter, for example, has a game theory is that it can monitor trends and serve as a platform for people to share opinions quickly with the world.  What’s your game theory?

Admit it then justify it with a philosophy 

This strategy goes along with failing big.  Admitting and then justifying with philosophy in a scene means that you have mean what you say and know why you said it. If you don’t know why you said it, find a reason why, make something up or better yet...improvise! Making an excuse is just avoiding reality.

This is a great way to learn about who you are as a person.  Constantly late to work? You could blame it on oversleeping or that there was terrible traffic.  Or you could look inward and discover that you aren’t passionate about your job and dread going to work. If so, it’s time to quit and do something you are more passionate about.

Well, class that’s all for this lecture!  I hope you stayed awake and focused on each lesson. If not, please wipe the drool off of your desk, catch up on what you missed and start applying it to your business life! These ideals have been around a while and a lot of them are just pure common sense. After all, in the end, we’re all just making it up as we go along.

The Humor in Business: How Does Improv Relate to Startups?

When the word “improv” comes to mind, you may think silly, raucous and spontaneous. But these are the exactly words that should come to mind.  Modern day improv started in Chicago by jobless actors who didn’t have parts, but still wanted to perform.  But improv’s roots go all the way back to the days of Commedia dell'Arte, a form of theater characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century.

But how does all of this relate to business and entrepreneurship?  When you sit down and think about it, improv and business don’t really go hand-in-hand. But the rules of improve, on the other hand, do. The funny scenes that take place on an improv stage are all created either from a suggestion from the audience or sometimes, out of thin air. The performers on stage are very funny people, but the rules are what help them create. These same rules can be applied to business and everyday life.  In the long run, these rules will help you grab a hold of opportunities and think big! So without further ado, here are five rules of improv that will make you a better businessperson:

1. Don’t Deny: Keep an open mind at all times. When a problem comes along, accept the fact that it happened and approach it head-on. In improve, this is often referred to “Yes, and…”. When you refuse what has dealt to you, success and chances for creativity come to a grinding halt.
2. The Rules of Question-Asking: When doing an improv scene, you may ask your partner an open-ended question.  This usually makes your partner stop what they’re doing and think of a witty answer.  Usually, this wastes time and hinders creativity. But how can “avoiding questions relate to entrepreneurship?”  Keep in mind that questions are important, but coming to quick, on-the-fly, smart answers on your own will most benefit you and help you learn.
3. Listen: While an improv scene is getting started, a lot of information is given so the performer can figure out who they are to one another, where they are and what’s going on. In everyday conversation, people are often planning ahead rather than really listening.  At work it's easy to be distracted by computer, Blackberries and iPhones. Focused listening is a crucial skill for both performers and entrepreneurs. 
4. Share your ideas: if one performer is doing all the heavy lifting and only throwing out their own ideas they’d be better of just doing stand-up. When collaborating with others you have to contribute if you want things to go where you want them to. The goal is the ability to reach a group mind where ideas are free flowing but within the same realm.
5. Read people like a book: The way your partner is carrying themselves will give you clues to where you are and who you are to them. Eye contact is essential. In the workplace it's important to pay attention to body language. Even on the phone you can pick up clues as to how the other person feels. It’s not what they say it’s how they say it.

Improv is all about keeping your mind open to new ideas and working with others, with the ultimate goal of being funny and entertaining your audience. When done in business the goal is success. No one ever said you can’t laugh along the way.