Last week I stepped onto a stage with no script, no plan—just a team of improvisers, a room full of people, and the simple agreement to create something together. Performing in an improvised theatre show has been one of the most stretching and rewarding experiences I’ve had in a long time. And unexpectedly, it has deepened my coaching and supervision practice in ways I didn’t anticipate.
At its core, improv is about presence. It demands that I listen deeply, respond authentically, and trust the moment. There’s no time to overthink or control where things are going, just an ongoing commitment to supporting my scene partners, embracing uncertainty, and staying open to possibility.
This has had a direct impact on my coaching. Improv has sharpened my ability to:
- Be fully present – Great scenes emerge when we’re truly with each other, not thinking ahead or stuck in our own heads. The same is true in coaching.
- Show gratitude and empathy – Every scene is a gift, just as every coaching session is an opportunity to meet someone where they are and co-create something meaningful.
- Trust the unknown – Coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about stepping into a space of discovery with our counterparts.
- Play more – Sometimes, we take coaching (and ourselves) a little too seriously. Improv reminds me to bring lightness, curiosity, and experimentation to my work.
This experience reinforced a truth I often return to in supervision: who we are is how we coach. The more we understand ourselves—our patterns, biases, fears, and strengths—the more we can show up fully for our counterparts. And that’s where supervision plays such a vital role. It gives us the space to reflect, to see ourselves more clearly, and to continually refine how we engage.
I’m curious, what non-coaching activities have shaped your coaching? How do they help you grow, stretch, or see your practice in a new way?