I recently listened to a fascinating episode of the “WTF With Marc Maron Podcast.”  Its’ guest is a hero and role model of mine.

If there was an Improvisational Hall of Fame, Wayne Brady would most certainly be a first ballot inductee.

There is no skill in the artform in which he does not and has not excelled.

What makes his life and professional story even more fascinating, however, is the road he has traveled to achieve superstardom, personal growth and healing.

Over the next three weeks we will explore Mr. Brady’s professional and personal journey and challenges, then explore how improvisational theatre and mindset skills can assist with mental health challenges.

We start with (below) an inc.com post that talks to Mr. Brady about improv and the impact it can have on business professionals.

“How Wayne Brady ‘Yes Ands’ His Way to Success” by Ben Sherry

Wayne Brady of Whose Line Is It Anyway fame knows all about adapting to unforeseen circumstances. One of the most accomplished improvisational artists of all time, Brady is easily able to run with whatever wacky concept comes his way.

By adopting the core improv tenet of “Yes, and,” Brady says, founders can adapt to whatever the fast-paced world of business throws at them. He explained the technique in a recent interview with Inc. editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk at the Inc. 5000 Conference & Gala in Phoenix.

Essentially, “Yes, and” is a process of accepting what your “scene partner” in an improv comedy sketch has said and then expanding on that line of thinking to come up with a new, original idea on the spot. Instead of shutting down suggestions from peers or potential business partners, Brady says, you should look for ways to build on others’ ideas. The resulting camaraderie can help you and your partner create a potentially breakthrough idea together in real time.

The “Yes, and” attitude, says Brady, “means saying, ‘I like what you’re doing. Now let me put my own sauce on it, and we’ll see what happens.'” In order to effectively improvise, you need to actively listen to people, the same way improvisational comedians listen closely to their “scene partner,” and identify an idea that you can make even better. Next, you should encourage your “partner” to continue this process, so both parties are actively responsible for creating the new idea. Jesslyn Rollins, who had been an aspiring comedian before becoming chief executive officer of Inc. 5000 honoree Biolyte, an electrolyte-drink company in Marietta, Georgia, ably served as a volunteer in Brady’s demonstration.

Brady says every performing artist effectively serves as their own small business, acting as their own CEO, CFO, and even production assistant. When he started his production company, Makin’ It Up Productions, he says, he used his experience as an improv performer to inform his approach to business. “I realized that if I run my business by actively listening, making connections, and being a receiver of ideas, I could have a sense of play with the people whom I interact with,” he says. His business ventures also include a corporate consulting firm and a line of hats.

In addition to listening actively, Brady says, you should be as prepared as possible before going into a situation where you’ll need to improvise.

“Doing a show like Whose Line Is It Anyway, there’s so much work that goes into getting yourself ready,” he says. “I try to be as prepared as I can, because then I can improvise, I have movement. And then I can sell you on anything, because in my head I know that I have 50 ways that I can move.”

To illustrate how business owners can adopt this core principle of improvisation to improve interactions with potential partners or clients, Brady described his process for pitching a show to a network or streaming service: “You have only 15 minutes to make your point, so you have to start tap dancing, but if you’re not simultaneously thinking about whom you’re selling to or what are their needs are, that could hurt your business.”

Summing up his thoughts, Brady offered this quote from singer James Brown, “If you stay ready, you ain’t gotta get ready.”

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Most people, when I tell them that Planet Improv utilizes improvisation theatre and mindset to educate students, think that our goals are to primarily train performers, comedians and actors.  And while a very small percentage of our hundreds of thousands of students over the last two plus decades might have had those aspirations, most of the skills that they come away with will help them in their non-entertainment professional life.

Thank you, Mr. Brady, for also reiterating that fact.