“Yes, and”-ing with a point: A strategic organizational behavior approach to understanding competent improvisation

Abstract

A framework based on strategic organizational behaviour to understand improvisation competence at the individual and organizational levels. Drawing on theatrical improvisation, I propose that competent improvisation entails acknowledgement and contribution (“Yes, And”-ing), along with the establishment and maintenance of a “point of concentration.” I incorporate research from organizational behaviour, human resource management, and neuroscience to explore the content of “improvisation competence,” how it might benefit outcomes of organizational interest, and contextual factors that likely contribute to these benefits. I also describe how configurations of individual- and organization-level f..