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Improvisation involves a set of skills, approaches, and attitudes that are advantageous in many contexts. Improvisation is a dynamic process that can facilitate the development of new ideas, cooperative and productive social interactions, and responsive decision-making.
Improvisation involves receptivity and being open to others' ideas. In an improvisation-friendly classroom, office, or home, all people can contribute, and the atmosphere tends to be inclusive rather than exclusive. When there are clear "leaders" and strict social roles, people may be less likely to contribute ideas or allow a group to develop ideas collectively.
Improvisation helps us to be in the moment, to be mindful of present-moment needs, goals, resources, and constraints. Improvisation is an appropriate and responsive mind set in our increasingly unpredictable and fast-changing world. Fewer and fewer aspects of our lives are predictable and stable.
Improvisation is fun! Unexpected moments, including those moments when planning merges with spontaneity, are often particularly fulfilling or even thrilling moments. If our life stayed scripted, we might feel we are "safer" and in control, but daily life might be much less fun. It is our nature to be drawn to novelty — we find the unexpected to be interesting, fun, and often humorous. An improvisational approach embodies an aesthetic of imperfection — it recognizes that we will make mistakes, that these are sources of learning, and that it is okay to laugh and "roll with" these moments.