Improvisation at work

During our professional life, we develop new skills and at the same time, we refine the ones we already have. The ability to adapt to unexpected challenges is very important because no matter how structured a work plan may be, it can change last minute. Nothing is linear; the work schedule can unexpectedly change, and it's in these moments that improvisation plays a crucial role in overcoming challenges.

We continually face sudden events that train us to react better to new situations. Improvisation is something we do regularly in our daily lives, so we also do it at work. The art of improvisation requires training based on our prior knowledge. When we improvise, our mind gathers all the elements we have at hand to solve unforeseen situations.

Professionals who engage in theatrical improvisation need to exercise and strengthen their creativity and problem-solving skills. The same goes for Jazz musicians; they can't plan what will happen, but that doesn't mean they lack tools to compose in the moment. They have a deep understanding of the fundamentals of their disciplines and master the technique to generate an immediate and coherent response.

The same applies to our work. Unconsciously, we develop our reactive capacity. Projects are not always the same; meetings can change direction, projects often undergo last-minute changes, and feedback can alter the course of our project. How we react to these situations is part of our daily training. The key is to be aware of these events and enhance our responsiveness.

Sometimes, improvisation might seem negative or frowned upon, as it's often assumed to be working without direction or taking the easiest way out. However, as we've seen, improvisation is about applying prior knowledge to solve something. It's about using all our knowledge in an unplanned situation, leveraging the resources at hand. It's not about inventing something baseless; it requires strategic reaction to reach the best resolution.

Tips for unexpected situations:

1. Make a list of your available resources.

2. Collaborate with your team to find solutions together.

3. Analyze if you've faced a similar situation before.

4. If there's a similar previous situation, take what you need from that experience and apply it.

5. Think strategically and explore more than one possible solution.

6. Trust your knowledge and explore different approaches.

When facing a new job interview as an applicant, it's likely that you'll be asked about your skills, or if you're the recruiter, you'll inquire about the aptitudes of your candidates. While common skills include organization, teamwork, and proactivity, now we know that improvisation is crucial in daily life. Perhaps it's something we're not consciously aware of because we do it naturally, but making it visible will help us respond better to unforeseen changes.