Managers are Improvisers

I used to think that managing was like Improv. After reading Henry Mintzberg’s new book “Managing” I’m convinced that managing is improv. The conventional wisdom about managing is that there is a strong component of planning, controlling and thinking. This has not been borne out by our experiences or the data. (It’s a useful myth to sell MBA seats though–yes, you do need all these fancy analytical tools to become a manager.)

However, as Mintzberg says, “study after study has shown that a, managers work at an unrelenting pace; b, their activities are typically characterized by brevity, variety, fragmentation and discontinuity; and c, they are strongly oriented to action.” This sounds like an improv show to me. Considering all the prep and training we do for shows it may turn out that improvisers are more planful and in control than the average manager

What are the most useful lessons for managers from improv then? Here’s my prescription for each of the three points above:

a. Unrelenting pace: Managers like improvisers actually thrive on this. Both groups avoid boring actvities. So don’t worry about the pace, enjoy it. While you are in it remember to paying attention and listening to your scene partner.

b. Brevity, variety, fragmentation and discontinuity: Improvisors are brilliant at switching scenes, characters and emotions. Like improvisors, a manager will play several different characters in a day; boss, coach, colleague, subordinate, vendor, client etc. Saying, “Yes, and…” to the scene changes of your day will reduce your stress and keep you moving.

c. Action orientation. We are always teaching improvisers to “make something happen in a scene”. There are great lessons about, “Yes, and…” heightening and an appreciation for mistakes. If you want to move fast you have to give up perfection.

Filed by jason at January 18th, 2010
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