Our best moments may come in an instant of inspiration and improvisation.  As we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., you may be surprised to learn his best-known speech was born in just such an instant.  

Think about a change you have experienced in an organization. Did you have to move work space from an office with a view to a cube in the middle of the office? Did a new CEO take the reins of the company? Was there a new policy that affected your day-to-day? Now think about the reactions you experienced. “I can’t believe I’m being downgraded from an office to a cube!” (denial). “The new CEO may fire us all!” (fear). “This new policy will make my job easier!” (acceptance).

There are some great lessons we business types can learn from the world of biology, one of which leads us back to the basic truth about survival: adapt or die. Read on to discover an improv favorite that offers invaluable practice with moving out of personal or organizational ruts and into positive and constructive thinking.

Strong leaders inevitably face the challenge of helping people step outside their comfort zones. Today’s blog sheds light on the two key components of creating an environment that makes it safe for people to try something new.

There is a saying by American essayist John Burroughs: ”Leap and the net will appear”. I first heard this quote from a good friend when I was considering leaving a good job to change careers. Ever since then, I’ve been living my life with that in mind. Whether it’s changing careers or moving to a new city, whenever I’ve leapt that proverbial net has always appeared.

Got another team meeting coming up? Let the games begin.Plato’s quote still holds true: “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Facilitated play makes it possible for your team to learn more about each other.  Plus team cohesiveness is a natural outcome from a shared fun experience.