The managerial Improvisation has been the most exciting class at Fuqua. It is fresh, refreshing, and far from the madding world of nerdiness, science, and concepts. The idea is to go with the flow. Take everything in your stride, and help reach out to your creativity and emotions in a beautiful fashion. The biggest lesson is SUSPEND JUDGEMENT.
Rule 1: Spontaneity and Creativity can not flow if we keep ourselves hung up by our inhibitions.
Rule 2: When you speak, do not think of what others would be thinking. Get committed to the cause, and 9 out of 10 times, others will see the cause with you.
Rule 3: Go wild, and crazy. We were told to get on the stage, and create a story. The topic was as bizarre as that of becoming a mafia leader. I had to act like one, and create an environment of crime. The questions came flowing in and it was later that I realized about my cabability to infuse humor. I am not as straightjacketed as I tend to think.
Rule 4: Keep yourself open to others ideas. At one point we were gondoleers from venice rowing the boat. One of the team mates was asked if she could talk about her experience. 5 Seconds later she was interjected and told to change the direction. Every 5 seconds you need to change the way you think. Isnt that what life is all about. It is unpredictable , dynamic, and can take a new course every time.
Rule 5: Enact unpredictable situations. What do you do if you are a CEO of Nicklodeon Network, and have to talk about Sarah Palin. When you reach a level of authority, can you comment on things and issues that are live and vocal.
Rule 6: TRUST team members; Use team members to create a visual pictures, and make sculptures out of their bodies.Bend a knee of your fellow mate, or enact a catalogue of Ikea. Make everyone in the team to become a portrait. Create a sustained effort to make it the best spectacle.
Its Day 3 at the Managerial Improvisation Workshop, and I feel quite excited to bare myself to a team of audience, by participating in a series of role play, and creative exercises, to keep the spontaneity going. I think beyond the business school at Fuqua, the creativity will help us create sensation in our lives. We will happen to act and react to situations, in a same way as we did today. We need to suspend judgement, and go with the flow.
