Web Sources
A curated collection focused on the connection between improvisation and coaching
Summary of Resources
Articles (10 resources):
Research papers and professional articles from ResearchGate, ICF, Harvard Business Review
Practical coaching insights from Master Certified Coaches
Evidence-based articles on improvisation's benefits for coaching and leadership
Books (5 resources):
Applied Improvisation for Coaches and Leaders (Schinko-Fischli)
Improv Leadership (Endicott & Miller)
Getting to "Yes And" (Bob Kulhan)
Yes, And (Kelly Leonard & Tom Yorton - Second City)
Improv Wisdom (Patricia Ryan Madson - Stanford)
Videos (6 resources):
TED/TEDx talks on coaching and leadership
Business Improv training videos and online courses
Educational improv videos from recognized organizations
Podcasts (8 resources):
Getting to Yes, And (Kelly Leonard/Second City)
Coaching for Leaders (Dave Stachowiak)
Multiple podcast episodes featuring improv experts
Specialized episodes on improvisation in psychology and conflict resolution
Key Focus Areas: Each resource specifically highlights how improvisation enhances coaching skills like active listening, presence, "Yes, And" thinking, adaptability, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and managing uncertainty.
The document also includes additional resources for organizations offering professional training (Business Improv, Second City Works) and academic/research sources for deeper study.
ARTICLES
1. The Importance of Improvisation in Coaching
ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282931767_The_importance_of_improvisation_in_coaching
Research-based article exploring how improvisation elements (communication, teamwork, honest emotional expression, risk/challenge, safety, self-actualization, and joy) parallel ingredients necessary for creative thinking and coaching effectiveness.
2. Improv-ing to Better Coaching Skills
Carly Anderson, MCC - ICF Credentialing Coach https://carlyanderson.com/improv-ing-to-better-coaching-skills
Practical insights from a Master Certified Coach on how improv training enhances presence, working "off the moment" with clients, and the power of "Yes, And" thinking in coaching sessions.
3. The Art of Coaching Improvisationally
International Coaching Federation https://coachingfederation.org/blog/the-art-of-coaching-improvisationally
ICF blog post examining improv tools and how they enhance the coaching relationship, including the "Yes-And" principle, listening purely, and maintaining presence.
4. Improv Techniques To Make You A More Effective Coach
Keith Webb https://keithwebb.com/improv-techniques-make-effective-coach
Three specific improv techniques to improve coaching: releasing control, listening purely, and being 100% present in the moment with clients.
5. Improve Your Training Facilitation Skills With Improv
Training Industry - Dr. Candy Campbell https://trainingindustry.com/articles/professional-development/improve-your-training-facilitation-skills-with-improv
Explores how applied improvisation enhances EQ, communication skills, creativity, and problem-solving in training and coaching contexts.
6. Why Improvisation is the Quickest Training Tool I Know
Training Magazine https://trainingmag.com/why-improvisation-is-the-quickest-training-tool-i-know
Article on how improvisation techniques like "Yes, And" create immediate, applicable communication tools for coaches and trainers.
7. Improvisational Coaching - How to Use Physical Improv Coaching Techniques
Coacharya https://coacharya.com/blog/games-improv-coaching
Explores how physical improv techniques dovetail into coaching competencies and can be adapted for coaching conversations to unblock clients and move them forward.
8. Using Improv to Unite Your Team
Harvard Business Review - Francesca Gino https://hbr.org/2019/05/using-improv-to-unite-your-team
Behavioral scientist and Harvard professor shares insights from 10 weeks of improv classes and how improvisation enhances team communication and collaboration.
9. Improvisation Takes Practice
Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2021/03/improvisation-takes-practice
Research-based article on developing improvisational skills in uncertain environments, identifying three types of improvisation: imitative, reactive, and generative.
10. Improvisation – A Key Skill for the 21st Century Leader
Training Journal https://www.trainingjournal.com/2022/business-and-industry/improvisation-key-skill-21st-century-leader
Explores applied improvisation (AIM) as an experiential learning process enhancing leadership and management competencies, with values of active listening and contributing.
BOOKS
1. Applied Improvisation for Coaches and Leaders: A Practical Guide for Creative Collaboration
Susanne Schinko-Fischli https://www.routledge.com/Applied-Improvisation-for-Coaches-and-Leaders-A-Practical-Guide-for-Creative-Collaboration/Schinko-Fischli/p/book/9781138315266
Comprehensive introduction to applying improvisational theatre principles to coaching and leadership. Covers teamwork, creativity, status, and storytelling with practical exercises throughout.
2. Improv Leadership: How to Lead Well in Every Moment
Stan Endicott & David Miller https://www.amazon.com/Improv-Leadership-Lead-Every-Moment/dp/0310112958
Five leadership competencies of improvisational leaders: Story Mining, Precision Praising, and creating powerful conversations that help people and teams grow. Practical strategies for coaching and culture change.
3. Getting to "Yes And": The Art of Business Improv
Bob Kulhan https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=25618
Veteran improv performer and CEO shows how improv techniques translate into productive meetings, swifter decisions, stronger collaboration, and mindfulness. Based on cognitive psychology and behavioral economics.
4. Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration
Kelly Leonard & Tom Yorton (The Second City) https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Improvisation-Reverses-Creativity-Collaboration-Lessons/dp/0062248545
Executives from The Second City reveal improvisational techniques to develop innovators, encourage adaptable leaders, and build transformational businesses. Includes principles like "Yes, And" and "following the follower."
5. Improv Wisdom: Don't Prepare, Just Show Up
Patricia Ryan Madson https://www.amazon.com/Improv-Wisdom-Dont-Prepare-Just/dp/1400081882
Stanford professor distills 30 years of improv experience into 13 maxims for applying improvisation to life and leadership challenges. Includes practical exercises for each principle.
VIDEOS
1. TED Talk: Leaders Who Coach Are Creating Better Workplaces
Saba Imru-Mathieu - TEDx https://www.ted.com/talks/saba_imru_mathieu_leaders_who_coach_are_creating_better_workplaces_and_so_can_you
How coaching culture and a coaching leadership style brings out the best in everyone and creates value in organizations.
2. Business Improv Corporate Training Videos & Podcasts
Business Improv https://businessimprov.com/resources/video-podcast
Collection of videos and podcasts on applying improvisation to business, including interviews with Bob Kulhan and demonstrations of improv principles in action.
3. What's Improvisation - Business Improv
Business Improv Educational Video https://businessimprov.com/resources/video-podcast/whats-improvisation
Foundational video defining improv and how improv skills help in the workplace, focusing on reacting, adapting, and communicating.
4. Improvisational Communication Online Course
Business Improv https://businessimprov.com/services/online-course
80 high-quality video lessons professionally shot, offering premier leadership and management training linking improv to business communication.
5. Canadian Improv Games - Training Videos
Canadian Improv Games https://www.improv.ca/training-videos
Educational videos on building blocks of improvisation: making offers, accepting, advancing, and commitment - all applicable to coaching contexts.
6. Kelly Leonard TEDx Broadway & Speaking Engagements
Multiple platforms - See speaker bureaus
Kelly Leonard's presentations at Aspen Ideas Festival, TEDx Broadway, Stanford Graduate School of Business on how improvisation transforms business and personal life.
PODCASTS
1. Getting to Yes, And
Kelly Leonard - Second City Works/WGN Radio
Podcast featuring interviews with thought leaders like Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Adam Grant, and Amy Edmondson on improvisation, behavioral science, and leadership.
Host: Kelly Leonard (Executive Director, Second City Works)
Topics: Applied improvisation, leadership, creativity, collaboration
2. Coaching for Leaders
Dave Stachowiak https://coachingforleaders.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ChDtTY9JyupfNGxcV39b3
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coaching-for-leaders/id458827716
Weekly leadership podcast with 600+ episodes featuring CEOs, authors, coaches discussing leadership development and professional growth. Includes episodes on improvisation and adaptive leadership.
3. Finding Mastery: Kelly Leonard - How Improv Can Level Up Our Creativity, Connection and Leadership
Michael Gervais https://findingmastery.com/podcasts/kelly-leonard
Deep conversation on using improvisation principles to take risks, unlock radical creativity, and live in the present. Explores "Yes, And" thinking and behavioral science.
4. Psychologists Off the Clock: Yes And - Improv in Psychology with Kelly Leonard
Episode 294 https://offtheclockpsych.com/yes-and-improv-in-psychology
Kelly Leonard discusses how to utilize improv to adapt, empathize, communicate, trust, and collaborate better, bridging improvisation and psychology.
5. High Conflict Institute: Yes, And - Improvisation & Creativity in Conflict Communication
Bill Eddy & Megan Hunter with Kelly Leonard https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/yes-andimprovisation-amp-creativity-in-conflict-communication-with-guest-kelly-leonard-of-the-second-city
Exploration of whether and how improvisation can be used in conflict communication and high-conflict interactions, with neuroscience insights.
6. ELCA Coaching Media: Applying Improv Techniques
Rev. Mike Weaver https://www.elcacoaching.org/podcasts/elca-coaching-media/2020-11-11-applying-improv-techniques-to-lead-with-confidence-courage-and-connection
Methods and mindsets trained improvisers learn to create compelling stories in uncertainty, applicable to leadership coaching.
7. For the Love of Improv - Applied Improvisation
Inspire Me Mr V https://inspirememrv.com/podcasts-interviews
Podcast exploring how improv skills transform how we show up, creating confidence, creativity, and willingness to take risks.
8. The Blinkist Simplify Podcast: Kelly Leonard on Growing Teams with Improv
How improv-based skills from Second City can be applied to business for effective collaboration, innovative thinking, and problem-solving.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Organizations & Training
Business Improv - https://businessimprov.com
Corporate training, online courses, virtual learning
Founded by Bob Kulhan, combines improv with behavioral science
Improvisational Communication course available
Second City Works - https://www.secondcity.com/corporate
Corporate training from world's premier comedy theater
Programs for leadership development, innovation, team building
Based in Chicago, with global reach
Applied Improvisation Network - International community connecting applied improv practitioners worldwide
Research & Academic Sources
Harvard Business Review Articles on Improvisation
Store: https://store.hbr.org (search "improvisation")
Multiple peer-reviewed articles on creativity, improvisation, and leadership
Creativity, Improvisation and Organizations (HBR)
Product code: ROT005
Teresa M. Amabile's research on organizational creativity
Notes on Quality & Relevance
This curated list emphasizes: ✓ Direct connections between improvisation and coaching/leadership ✓ Evidence-based and research-backed resources ✓ Practical applications and benefits of improv training ✓ Resources from recognized experts and institutions ✓ Materials suitable for professional coach training workshops
All resources focus on how improvisation enhances coaching competencies including:
Active listening and presence
"Yes, And" thinking
Adaptability and flexibility
Emotional intelligence
Collaboration and teamwork
Creative problem-solving
Managing uncertainty
Building trust and psychological safety
Compiled: January 2026