Selecting activities for leadership outcomes
A client recently suggested we should have called the session ‘Parlour Games‘, as they’d gone with some trepidation into what we’d named ‘Improvisation for Leaders’. I was glad they’d enjoyed themselves, but – leaving aside the fact that many of us would be more fearful of parlour games than of improv – they’d really missed a key point.
Improvisation isn’t a bag of tricks. It’s a set of purposeful tools. And, like any tools, these need proper labelling and instructions for use. Their impact depends on choosing the right activity for the outcome you want. When leaders match the exercise to the purpose, the learning becomes sharper, cleaner and more transferable. Fun is often a welcome by-product, but it’s rarely the point.
Start With the Outcome
Before choosing an activity, ask:
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What behaviour do I want to see?
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What stance do I want people to embody?
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What real-world situation does this represent?
Clarity at this stage prevents aimless fun for its own sake and enhances it with targeted, experiential learning.
For Trust and Psychological Safety
Start with low-stakes structures that create engagement and quick wins; activities such as:
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One Word Story
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Category Cruncher
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Chat-based storytelling
These send a clear message: “You’re safe to contribute here.”
For Listening and Clear Communication
Pick exercises that rely on turn-taking, noticing and genuine attention, like:
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Mirroring
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Call-and-response games
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Breakout Room Tag
Participants experience what good communication feels like.
For Confidence Under Uncertainty
Choose formats with surprise and ambiguity built in:
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PowerPoint Karaoke
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Superbrain (varied prompts under time pressure)
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Rapid-fire idea bursts
These teach people they can cope with unpredictability – and even enjoy it.
For Agility and Problem-Solving
Stretch their thinking without overwhelming them, with:
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Category Cruncher
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Improvised explanations (“Why is this object vital?”)
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Phone-based prompt generators
Participants practise staying resourceful and making choices when information is incomplete.
For Hybrid Collaboration
Use structures that reduce hierarchy and encourage participation:
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Chat-driven games
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Paired breakout room tasks
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Online whiteboarding
Everyone stays involved, regardless of location.
Match the Game to the Goal. The right improvised activity is a rehearsal for the real world. Choose with intention, run it cleanly and debrief with purpose. The result? Clearer leadership lessons and stronger team capability.
If you’d like support choosing or facilitating the right improvisational tools for your next meeting, workshop or leadership event, we’d love to help – just get in touch and let’s design something purposeful together.
For more tools at your fingertips…
…Explore our book 58½ Ways to Improvise in Training.
