“The Real You:” Insights From Improv Acting

Business storytelling begins with choosing from among your many selves.

This week I’ve been reading an excellent book with a misleading title: Performance Breakthrough: A Radical Approach To Success At Work.

The author, Cathy Salit, works with a performance ensemble for executive and personal development projects. Her book focuses on using elements of theatre — especially improvisational acting — to frame business interactions.

One of Salit’s key points is that being authentic isn’t about finding the Real You. We have many authentic selves and we can draw on those selves in different situations.

Often it’s easy to identify with one identity and fall back on using that self in all situations. Yet growing into new careers — and new business opportunities — often calls for finding new selves and new ways to respond.

In other words, change the character you play in your story. Or create a new story to fit the character you want to be.

(1) Tell a story as a character — someone as different from yourself as possible.

When practicing in a safe space, you could try some of Salit’s recommended exercises.