Jazz Improvisation: Lessons for Conversation
The Jazz Leadership Project Trio: Larry Johnson, drums, Corcoran Holt, bass, and Andre Barnes, keyboards
Earlier this week, Greg and I, with our jazz trio, facilitated a Jazz Leadership Project workshop for a group of fifteen executive leaders from an international corporation. The theme of the executive program was focused on perspective—which beautifully aligned with our framing of jazz principles and practices as an innovative model for business. Onward to Chicago!
As soon as they stepped into the ballroom and heard the JLP Trio playing Duke Ellington’s “Take the ‘A’ Train,” heads bopped, bodies swayed, and fingers snapped to the music. We were off to a great start. The enthusiasm continued as we shared the principles and practices, interspersed with interactive exercises. The segment of the session that stood out for me was Improvisation—an element that jazz is so widely recognized for.
We define improvisation as wise spontaneous choices in the moment. Musical improvisation—composing new passages on the spot—is not “winging it,” as often thought. Jazz improvisation represents adaptability, agility, and innovation. It is both intentional and spontaneous—a process of creating based on a shared understanding and practice of music fundamentals. Musicians are in dialogue with each other in a process of call and response, using the basics of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, and tone color.
Neuroscience tells us that in improvisation, the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex —the area of the brain that is our inner critic—shuts down, so there’s no judgment. You tap into your stored knowledge and adapt it to the situation in real-time. This is when we can enter into flow—that optimal state where our complete immersion opens a pathway to heightened creativity.
So, back to our group of executives. The trio played Miles Davis’ “All Blues,” with each improvising with skill and style. Then it was time for an improvisation exercise. We divided the leaders into two groups of eight and asked them to form a circle. They were to then create a story with each person contributing one word at a time, flowing continuously in the same direction. No word was too small or large. At the conclusion of several rounds, the group reflected on the experience.
Improvisation builds courage
One member of the group said that she was apprehensive about the exercise because she didn’t know where her word would take the narrative. Yet, when it was her turn, she trusted the process and contributed thoughtfully. She became so invested in the story building that on several occasions she blurted out a word suggestion to her group members when it was their turn. Improvisation can help overcome inhibitions to generate ideas in greater quantity and quality.
Improvisation teaches how to love the act of interaction.
The group members mulled deeply when it was their turn to contribute a word to carry the story forward. Participants took great care—measuring the impact their word would have. The nature of improvisation is that you don’t know what’s coming – you are responding to something – it’s a lot about relationship. Improvisation teaches that every contribution, no matter how small or large, is meaningful.
Improvisation fosters genuine moments of acceptance
Another group member had a particular expectation of the direction the story would go based on the word he contributed. To his surprise, the next person’s word shifted the direction and he had to adjust accordingly. Improvisation forces us to let go of control and welcome what emerges. Improvisation represents a Yes, And approach, as often used in theater. To improvise is to create in real time, as in conversations, take ideas and extend, and develop them to tell your own story or contribute to the group.
There was a lot of laughter generated from the experience. Surprises emerged and were accepted as the circle of improvisation unfolded into a circle of creative expression.
Dialogue as an improvisational act of co-creation
To be fully present in the moment with heightened awareness is to be open to the creative connections and possibilities that emerge through our communication. Improvisation helps us embrace and embody the richness of multiple perspectives as we enhance our ability for inquiry and spontaneity.
A dialogue can generate new ways of thinking and create shared meaning through deep listening of every statement or tiny word and the suspension of our assumptions and judgments. As in jazz, an approach of curious exploration and a willingness to be influenced by the words of another person can take us on a brave, new adventure.
