How Can Improv Help New and Aspiring Leaders Make Better Decisions?

The pressure to make the right decisions, especially for new and aspiring leaders in the corporate world, can be overwhelming. They often find themselves struggling with uncertainty and hesitation.? One unconventional yet highly effective way to develop decision-making skills is through improvisational theatre, or improv.

At first glance, improv may seem like an activity reserved for actors and comedians. However, in my decade long working in the corporate sector (while also balancing acting work - stage acting especially), I realised that improv’s core principles—spontaneity, active listening, adaptability, and collaboration—are directly applicable to leadership and decision-making. .?

Let’s explore how improv can empower new and aspiring leaders to make more confident and effective decisions, along with practical improv games to reinforce these skills.

1. Improv Teaches Agility in Decision-Making

One of the fundamental principles of improv is thinking on your feet. Improvisers don’t have scripts; they make choices in real-time based on what is happening in the scene. This mirrors the corporate reality, where unexpected challenges arise—such as a last-minute client request or a sudden shift in market trends—and leaders must respond swiftly without having all the information at hand.

Improv Game: “One-Word Story” In this game, participants build a story one word at a time, taking turns. It forces quick thinking, adaptability, and trust in the process—key elements for decision-making under pressure, much like handling an unexpected question in a boardroom meeting.

2. Embracing Mistakes and Moving Forward

Many new corporate leaders fear making the wrong decision, which can lead to hesitation or inaction. Improv fosters a mindset where mistakes are not failures but opportunities for growth. The golden rule of improv is “Yes, and…”—meaning you accept whatever happens and build on it. This principle encourages leaders to reframe failures as stepping stones and keep moving forward rather than getting stuck in self-doubt.

Improv Game: “Failure Bow” Participants take turns intentionally making a mistake (e.g., mispronouncing a word) and then taking an exaggerated bow while the group cheers. This game normalises mistakes and helps leaders develop resilience—an essential skill when making tough business decisions.

3. Active Listening for Informed Decisions

Decision-making in the corporate world is not just about quick thinking—it’s about making informed choices based on the right inputs. In improv, scenes progress effectively only when participants actively listen to their partners. Missing a key detail can derail an entire scene, just as failing to listen in a business context can lead to costly miscommunications.

Improv Game: “Last Word Response” In pairs, one person says a sentence, and the next person must begin their response using the last word from the previous sentence. This reinforces deep listening and sharpens the ability to process information quickly—essential for leaders who need to synthesize feedback from team members, clients, and stakeholders.

4. Confidence Under Pressure

A common challenge for new leaders is dealing with pressure. Whether in a high-stakes meeting, a public presentation, or handling a crisis, maintaining composure is crucial. Improv exposes participants to high-pressure situations in a low-risk environment, building their ability to think and act confidently in real-world corporate scenarios.

Improv Game: “Gibberish Explanation” One person explains a business concept using gibberish, and another translates it into real language. This builds confidence in speaking under pressure and reinforces clear communication even in uncertainty—valuable when pitching ideas or addressing unexpected questions from senior executives.

5. Enhancing Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

Great corporate leaders don’t just follow the rulebook—they think creatively to solve problems. Improv encourages participants to explore multiple perspectives and generate creative solutions on the spot. Since there are no wrong answers in improv, individuals are free to experiment, take risks, and develop out-of-the-box thinking, which is essential in innovation-driven industries.

Improv Game: “Alternative Uses” Give participants a common office object (e.g., a paperclip) and have them come up with as many alternative uses for it as possible in 60 seconds. This boosts creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, which can be applied to brainstorming sessions and business strategy development.

Final Thoughts

In a corporate world that demands leaders to be resilient, adaptable, and decisive, improv serves as an unexpected yet powerful training ground. By integrating its principles into leadership development, new and aspiring leaders can strengthen their ability to make quick, confident, and well-informed decisions while fostering an innovative and collaborative workplace culture.

So, if you’re looking to sharpen your decision-making skills and thrive in the corporate world, consider stepping into the world of improv. It might just be the game-changer you need to lead with confidence and creativity.? You don’t need to be an actor or improviser to do improv.? Yes, And….you just need to start.

Stay Safe, Stay Positive, Stay Creative.

Towards your continued success,

Hazriq Idrus | Creative Leadership & Public Speaking Strategist | Author of “Creative Leadership” & "The Stage Fright Antidote"

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Hazriq Idrus is a stage actor turned professional speaker who is passionate on the topics of Creativity & Leadership Communications, and how these two synergise.? He founded The Speaking Factory Pte Ltd with a mission to help professionals elevate their presence, enhance communication & drive innovation using principles from acting & theatre improv.

Connect with Hazriq on social media: https://linktr.ee/hazriqidrus.