Success in business requires clear communication, outstanding teamwork, and tremendous flexibility. Those are the exact skills improvisational comedians use to entertain audiences. In Improspectives: Applying Improv Comedy Techniques to Life and Business, Curtis Frye draws on insights from over 1,100 performances as well as notes from artistic directors of improv troupes, business communication experts, and game theorists, to explain how you can apply improv techniques to situations you face every day.

As he notes in the preface:

After reading this book, you will be better prepared to take on challenges in the personal and business facets of your life. As you gain skill and confidence, you will apply these principles effectively and learn even more as you go.

Frye starts by describing how performers prepare to improv; play characters; listen, process, and react to offers made during a scene; play the games within the games; build an effective team; and create and evaluate improv performances. Along the way, he describes specific ways you can apply these techniques to business and life. At the end of the book, you’ll find an Appendix with a series of improv games you can play to help energize your groups.

Download Chapter 1 for free.

Curtis Frye is the author of more than two dozen books, including Microsoft Excel 2010 Step by Step, Microsoft Excel 2010 Plain & Simple, and Privacy-Enhanced Business. He graduated from Syracuse University with an honors degree in political science and started his professional career as a member of the technical staff at The MITRE Corporation in McLean, VA. During his time in the DC area, he performed with a local improv group. After moving to Portland, Oregon, in 1995 to pursue his writing career, he joined ComedySportz Portland. Since then, he has performed in more than 1,100 shows with the professional cast. Curt also appears as a solo performer and keynote speaker.