Why are we afraid of mistakes, and seek to avoid risks? How do we challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zones? Improviser Heather Urquhart helps us explore our innate fear of failure, and the value of being more open to creative risk.

Heather is a talented actor and musician, and uses her skills not only to entertain, but also to open up people’s thinking, their willingness to try new things, to develop ideas, and to get comfortable with mistakes. 

She is a regular improv actor in Showstoppers, the West End improvised musical, and runs her own company, AndAlso Improv (https://andalsoimprov.com/), leading improv workshops and classes. She works with teams and leaders in organisations, bringing them a completely different way of exploring risk, trust, control and creativity – and to have fun at the same time. 

We talk too how improvisers learn to tune in so closely to their fellow performers as well as adapting to different team or leader roles in the moment. There’s something we can all learn from that kind of collaboration. 

In the episode, we cover:

• How Heather uses improv to help people open up and think differently.
• Why embracing mistakes is important, and often lead to something better than you’d planned.
• How improvisers tune in to and support each other, adapting their roles in the moment.
• What we can learn about listening, giving people space and support, building trust and enabling people to speak up.
• Using ‘yes and…’ as a positive way to build ideas and collaboration.
• Why everyone is creative, if they practice. And some tips for how to do this!

Episode resources

Find Heather at AndAlsoImprov: https://andalsoimprov.com/  

Her Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherurquhartimproviser/ 

Find Showstoppers The Musical: https://showstopperthemusical.com/ 

Speak to the human is a podcast by Acteon a communication and learning agency that harnesses behavioural insights to help organisations connect with their people and deliver positive change. Find out more at acteoncommunication.com.