improv

Thinking On Our Feet

In baseball, both batters and pitchers dance with uncertainty, albeit from different angles. The pitcher is trying to fool the batter with an unexpected pitch (curve ball vs. fast ball vs. slider, etc.) in hopes it isn't hit. The batter is improving the skill of how to read the pitcher, the body language and the pitched ball early in flight in hopes making a hit. They work in opposition, each with the goal of triumph over the other.

Alternatively, we can use uncertainty for synergy to reach common goals. We can develop a skill of receiving uncertainty as a gift, something we see or know now, we didn't a moment earlier. The key is to accept it as such, and then use the new trajectory to add something meaningful to the flow. Accept, "Yes", and then add with "And". Yes, and...the roots of improv. Instead of winning, the goal of improv is to keep playing, and to create an interesting change in the process.

Some of the most memorable service exchanges are born from uncertainty and improv. Predictable is boring. Unexpected is interesting. Improv turns the interesting into delight. An artist skilled in seeing a new possibility despite the uncertainty, and then extending the service game to new, unexpected territory is known for thinking on her feet. She creates a pleasant surprise because it wasn't obvious. She can see what others don't, imagine a new possibility and act on it, all in the moment.

Certainty seems comfortable, the logical place to go. And it works with a lot of things, like buying gasoline, taking an airline flight or turning on our computer. But, we can't create unexpected delight from certain. This requires curve balls, and more importantly, a posture of seeking them out. Innkeeping isn't comfortable because it might not work. This is precisely what makes it worth doing, worth dancing with the discomfort, and making it a habit to say "yes, and".

Comfort and Creativity

…don’t mix well. 

Creativity, or a lack thereof, has nothing to do with ability…being born with talent. It has everything to do with developing habits and skills by showing up and doing the work. And part of the work a creative employs is discomfort. Sometimes this comes through the rigor necessary to ship work. But it also comes from putting herself into unscripted, unexpected situations forcing an unplanned response, i.e., the creative act. Doing this over and over builds the creative skill and eventually leads to being comfortable with discomfort, even to the point of seeking it out. 

Creativity isn’t reserved for some special group of talented artists. It’s for anyone who dares to innovate and lead change, and then chooses to do the work necessary to bring the ideas from concept to reality. Of course, it might not work…but that’s the risk and discomfort which comes with being creative. Otherwise, it’s just a thought.

Making something from scratch and in the moment is one of the most generous things we get to do…if we choose to. Choose wisely.