ASTD Management Development Handbook: Innovation for Today's Managers

Chapter 25

The First Secret of Improvisation—Yes! Space

Karen Hough

Editor’s Note

I often suggest that managers become “yes” people—people who are positive forces in enabling things to happen—people who ooze positive energy and catalyze possibility. In this electrifying chapter, improv expert Karen Hough shares an improv technique that you will want to begin using tomorrow—or this afternoon. This is not some wishy-washy stuff, and Karen shares the research and examples that will demonstrate how creating a “Yes! Space” can reduce turnover and improve results.

Imagine … You are backstage at a theater, listening to the sound of an excited crowd ...