There are times, in the life of every organization, when the scripted answers drafted as responses to the typical problems, are not able to cope with sudden, unexpected changes. Surprises occur despite the scripted programs, that are by definition not planned when they occur. When, for a number of apparently unrelated reasons, things come to a halt, the need for improvisation is greatest, and so, the need for creative, improvisational talent

 

 

In that regard, it is interesting to note that some of the most spectacular improvements in both processual and artefactual concepts and knowledge are drawn from entirely unscripted problem-solving sequences. In Alexander Alter's "Cirque du Soleil's Stunt Women in Chief", for instance, the process of creation through the mastering of uncertainty is analyzed as constituting the principal source of divergent ideas. "Uncertainty plays a big role in Ms. Brown's creative process. Some of the most impressive stunts in a Cirque show come from unscripted moments in rehearsal." The example provided by Debra Brown's methodology is an incarnation of improvisation-as-creation.

Indeed, in the context of live entertainment, as in other highly streamlined industries (video games, information technology, etc.), the proximity of successive deadlines creates an imperative – "the show must go on" – as activities must never come to a stop. In this continuity, the disruptions are dealt with through improvisation. The concept, which is quintessential to the practice of performing arts, hence also gains increasing appeal for leaders and management practitioners.

 

Musicians, for one, need to bring their senses to an elevated state where they are free from social interference. Only in this heightened state of mind, may free improvisation happen. The musician "knows", two or three seconds in advance, what will be played, what others will do – but that "knowledge" cannot be formalized, or subdued to logical thinking. The knowledge is praxis, a felt knowledge : knowing the principles no further than in a semi-conscious state, the musician reaches a trance, marked my immediate sensitivity. It is interesting to note that these notions correspond both to definitions of "flow" as described by Csikszentmihalyi – that is, strict following of routines that contribute to the achievement of maximal efficiency – as well as the improvisational activities we have just described.

 

Improvisation, although impossible to impose by diktat, needs to be given room. If, indeed, the show is to go on, organizational leaders are required to provide opportunities for trial and error routines that will become necessary and constitute the only acceptable answer when no consensual alternative has been reached. Striking examples of improvisation in the creative industries allow us to suggest a number of conditions under which improvisation may succeed : 1) to master the activity full well ; 2) to forget about the material circumstances of action ; 3) to feel empowered to take quick, decisive action ; 4) to trust in the ability of improvised answers to lead to positive outcomes ; 5) not to doubt that failure will lead to dire consequences.

 

Approaching improvisation from a normative point of view does have its shortcomings, as it is often pointed out that, in its essence, such a reactive process cannot be rationalized and / or formalized per se. Nevertheless, what we propose is that we encourage the structures with which we interact to leave more room for the unplanned sequences typical of improvisation. The examples provided close to us, by the Cirque du Soleil, Ubisoft, or in music composition such as with Misteur Valaire, emergent jazz music or classical composition, are inspiring us to promote further recourse to improvisation-as-creation. As such, these organizations would then need to strive to increase the qualification and value of the individuals they engage with, allowing them, as put by pianist and music composer Mantautas Krukauskas, to raise the level of competence so that "everybody can, in a way, improvise with everybody". Wise words. To be meditated.