How improv theatre helps me be a better coach

Jan 16

Written By Mica Allan

What have all these things got in common?

I ‘was’ them one Sunday afternoon at an improv class.

I used to do lots of drama at school.

Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” Juliet in a modern musical version of “Romeo and Juliet.”

It all led up to my pièce de résistance.

Playing a deranged cleaner with milk bottle glasses in a murder mystery.

The Drama block was where I felt at home.

It was both a place of safety and where I could take risks.

Improvisation and being in the moment is also part of being a coach.

Where my tools are my eyes, my ears, my words and my creativity.

Being able to build safety and rapport.

And to get to the heart of topics.

When I work with clients for a while, I get to know them, and I have a general idea of what they want to explore.

But life happens in between coaching sessions.

I never know what subject they’ll want to talk about.

✅ What they need from that session.

✅ What they need from me.

✅ And what they need to happen.

I’m so thankful that the magic of improvisation I discovered as a kid is something I get to do as an adult.

And it’s brilliant that I get to use these skills as a coach.

But for existing and potential clients out there, don’t worry.

I won’t be turning into a puppy or a grass lawn at a coaching session.

You have my word.

Mica Allan

Let’s Talk!