Improvisational Leadership In Action

Course Introduction

The art of improv can be used to improve leadership skills and grow businesses. This is the premise of Bob Kulhan’s business, an adjunct professor of business at Duke University Fuqua School of Business, CEO of Business Improv, and an expert on leadership. Kulhan offers a unique learning experience with his background as an improvisational actor and solid practical and academic business knowledge.

In this course, Kulhan talks about techniques and approaches that use improvisation to improve leadership abilities. He explains how the ability to react, adapt, and communicate effectively are basic survivor skills for anyone in business. He discusses why he developed his program that teaches business leaders the art of improvisation as a way to improve their skills in communication, mindfulness, problem solving, crisis management, and adaptability; how teaching people about improvisation can have real and positive impact in the workplace; centered thinking; how improvisation can teach leaders to slow down, be present in real time, and be effective in their decision-making processes; the relationship of improvisation to high-level decision-making; how improvisation can be used as a tool to help with collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Kulhan also talks about conflict management as a problem that results from a lack of communication; importance of personal branding and how improv can be used as a tool to build reputation, one’s personal power; importance of being positive and engaged when taking part in business discussions; and the problem that exists with silos within organizations and how they develop. He shares workable and easy techniques to improve brainstorming sessions; and techniques to help all team members be engaged in meetings and decision-making processes.

Who Should Attend

• Executives
• CEOs
• CIOs
• Directors
• Managers
• Entrepreneurs
• Educators
• Human Resource Professionals
• Students
• Improvisational Actors

Course Methodology

This self-paced e-learning course is based on an interview with Bob Kulhan, an adjunct professor of business at Duke University Fuqua School of Business, CEO of Business Improv, and author ofGetting to “Yes, And”.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding improvisational leadership and critical business skills—react, adapt, and communicate
• Improving organizational communication, brainstorming sessions, and team discussions
• Elements of improvisational leadership
• Importance of emotional intelligence at the workplace and personal branding for a leader
• Think slow to move fast, and impact of our energy and attitude at workplace
• Improving rapid decision making, fostering collaboration and innovation, and conflict management

Course Modules

• Understanding Improvisational Leadership
• Improvisational Leadership In Action
• Improving Organizational Communication