What Improv Taught Me About Facilitation

Recently I completed two improvisation courses with Improv Queensland in Brisbane: their beginners “Learn to Improvise” course, and then their intermediate “Characters & Physicality” course. What struck me is how directly many of the improv-skills translate into the world of facilitation and leadership communication.

Earlier this year I also stepped outside my familiar facilitation zone and took to the stage – performing stand-up comedy at an open-mic night. It was an exhilarating, humbling occasion and served as a reminder that even as a facilitator, the skills I lean on can be sharpened in unexpected ways.

Here are three core improv learnings, and how they power my work with teams and leaders at Edmonds Facilitation.

1. Thinking On Your Feet: “Yes, and…”

In the beginners’ improv course I learned to trust my creative impulse, be more present and accept what’s offered in the moment. In improv-language this is the “yes, and” mindset – you don’t reject or pause at the unexpected, instead you build on it.

In the training room:

  • When a participant raises a surprising point, you don’t shut it down or sideline it – you embrace it and weave it in.
  • This responsiveness keeps energy high, the group engaged, and the conversation relevant.
  • There’s no script for how an audience might respond. Along with planning out my framework (ie. process) I have to read the room – adjusting my tempo and changing my tone – just like in an improv scene.

By shifting from “I’ll wait to see what happens” to “I’ll respond and build”, I’m more agile and authentic with my groups.

2. Status, Body Language & Voice

In the intermediate improv course we explored physicality and voice, and the idea of characters having “high status” vs “low status”. A character’s posture, movement, vocal tone and even timing can all signal whether they lead or follow, dominate or collaborate.

In facilitation and leadership contexts:

  • Our non-verbals speak for us, even before we even say a word. A facilitator who slouches, uses minimal movement, or avoids eye-contact might inadvertently signal they’re unsure or disengaged.
  • Conversely, purposeful movement, open posture, confident voice set a tone of leadership – but it’s also a balance: you want to invite contribution, not dominate.
  • In my stand-up set, I was acutely aware of where I stood on the stage, how I moved, how my voice rose or fell – different from an learning workshop because the stakes of ‘audience drop-off’ are real and fast.

When I consciously choose my body language, stance and tone as tools, I can then shape how groups respond, and how comfortable they feel to engage.

3. Embracing Imperfection and Building Trust

An improv course teaches you to become a learner again and embrace failure. For me, the challenge is in the attempt, even if I stumble, because the momentum of the scene comes from willingness, not perfection. That mindset – “I’ll step in even if I don’t have the perfect line” – is gold in my line of work.

Why it Matters For a Trainer:

  • If I hold back in a workshop because I fear a misstep, I then lose the opportunity to model courage, spontaneity and authenticity.
  • If I am clear and concise at the outset, it signals to the group that it’s safe to contribute, experiment, and not worry about being ‘perfect’.
  • My stand-up night felt like a spotlight on imperfection: the jokes that missed, the pauses I didn’t expect – but the audience still appreciated my attempt. It deepened my empathy for participants who hesitate or self-edit in workshops.

By modelling that it’s okay to ‘go for it’ and learn as you do, I foster richer participation and greater trust in the sessions I run.

Takeaways

As a facilitator, trainer and consultant who runs workshops across the eastern seaboard and virtually – I’m always looking for fresh ways to deepen connection, engagement and responsiveness. The improv courses and stand-up experience are more than just fun sidesteps; they’ve sharpened my toolkit in tangible ways: quick-thinking, assured presence, body language awareness, authenticity, and conscious vulnerability.

For you, if you’re leading teams or facilitating change, here’s some quick takeaways:

  • See the unexpected contribution as an invitation, not a disruption.
  • Stand with intention. Use your body and voice to lead with openness.
  • Take the metaphorical stage. Your willingness to step in – even if imperfectly – signals to the group that they can too.

If you’d like to explore how to bring these learnings into customised workshops for your leadership team (including role-play, improvisation-inspired drills, and real-world commentaries) I’d love to connect and explore how we can bring your team’s voice to life.

Contact us today to discuss tailored workshops for leaders, and their cross-functional teams.