While The Second City has long propelled the stage careers of top comedians – including Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert – the improvisational theater troupe has also gained respect for coaching businesses on the power of improv in the workplace.
The Second City executives Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton explain how the principles of improv can transfer into the workplace in their new book, “Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses ‘No, But’ Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration – Lessons from The Second City.”
Along with boosting emotional intelligence and creativity, improv can help business executives and employees better maneuver uncomfortable situations, produce ideas more quickly and overcome a fear of failure, according to the authors. They offer readers seven elements of improv: yes, and; ensemble; co-creation; authenticity; failure; follow the follower; and listening.
In Leonard and Yorton’s experience, professional success is often fueled by the same forces behind great comedy – creativity, communication and collaboration.
“Yes, And” is available on www.800ceoread.com for $22.39.
