“Imagine what would be possible for you if you let go of your old, limiting thoughts, beliefs and stories about yourself? And what if you chose more useful ones?” -Kay Ross
I had the pleasure of speaking to the lovely Kay Ross. She’s an applied improvisation trainer, a personal development coach, a storyteller extraordinaire, and she will even help you explore all of the wonderful possibilities in your life and in your organization.
I’ve been looking forward to this conversation because this year, we’re checking in with people who are actually out there promoting levity, promoting humor, promoting positive applications of laughter and play in the workplace for adults.
Life is unscripted, unpredictable, and full of opportunities. But how often do we hold ourselves back with limiting beliefs and rigid thinking? Imagine what could be possible if you embraced uncertainty, explored new ideas, and improvised your way through life’s challenges.
This week on the Lead with Levity Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kay Ross, applied improvisation trainer, personal development coach, and creator of the Playground of Possibilities. Kay shared her insights on how improvisation can transform the way we approach life and work, helping us break free from limiting beliefs and step into a world of creativity, collaboration, and joy.
Why Improv is More Than Comedy
Improvisation isn’t just about getting laughs on stage—it’s about life. Kay describes improv as a “team sport” where players work together to create unscripted scenes, often inspired by audience suggestions. This collaborative, in-the-moment creativity mirrors the skills we need in real life:
- Teamwork: Supporting each other to achieve shared goals.
- Adaptability: Thriving in uncertainty and navigating the unexpected.
- Curiosity: Exploring new ideas and perspectives with an open mind.
- Emotional Intelligence: Building trust, empathy, and authentic connections.
These principles are the foundation of applied improvisation, a practice that takes the techniques and mindset of improv into fields like business, education, healthcare, and even disaster response.
The Power of “Yes, And”
The cornerstone of improvisation is the principle of Yes, And. It’s a mindset that encourages us to:
- Say “yes” to ideas: Accept what’s offered to you instead of rejecting it outright.
- Build on those ideas: Add value and spark creativity by contributing your perspective.
In a workplace setting, “Yes, And” transforms conversations. Instead of shutting down suggestions with a quick “yes, but,” it creates space for collaboration and innovation. As Kay explains, this approach reduces resistance, fosters trust, and can lead to breakthrough ideas.
The Playground of Possibilities
Kay’s Playground of Possibilities invites individuals and teams to explore what’s possible when we let go of limiting beliefs and embrace a mindset of curiosity and creativity. At the heart of her program is a deck of 52 thought-provoking questions, each designed to help participants reframe their thinking and take inspired action.
Here are a few of her favorite questions:
- What would be possible for me if I chose to see things differently?
- What would be possible for me if I allowed myself to have fun?
- What would be possible for me if I stepped courageously into the unknown and improvised?
These questions challenge us to think beyond the status quo and imagine new ways of being, working, and leading.
How Improv Benefits Teams
Applied improvisation isn’t just fun—it delivers measurable benefits for teams and organizations. Kay has seen firsthand how improv exercises improve:
- Communication: Participants feel more open, honest, and connected.
- Collaboration: Teams develop rituals and habits that promote trust and creativity.
- Adaptability: Employees build confidence in handling change and uncertainty.
- Workplace Culture: A “Yes, And” mindset creates an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired.
When teams adopt the improv principle of “I’ve got your back,” they foster a culture of support and collaboration that drives success.
Breaking Through Resistance
Despite its many benefits, Kay acknowledges that some organizations are hesitant to embrace applied improvisation. Common concerns include:
- Perceived lack of seriousness.
- Fear that it’s a waste of time or resources.
- Uncertainty about how it connects to business goals.
Kay reassures leaders that improv workshops aren’t about performing comedy—they’re about building practical skills like leadership, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. Through facilitated exercises and thoughtful debriefs, participants gain insights they can immediately apply to their work.
What’s Possible for You?
As we wrapped up our conversation, Kay posed a powerful question:
What would be possible for you if you were able to shed limiting beliefs, thoughts, and stories about yourself, your team, your organization, and your world?
Improv teaches us that life is a playground of possibilities, full of opportunities to experiment, collaborate, and grow. By embracing a “Yes, And” mindset, we can navigate life’s uncertainties with more joy, curiosity, and confidence.
About Kay Ross
I wear several related hats: Marketing-minded Editor/Copywriter, Applied Improvisation Trainer, and Personal Development Coach/Trainer. The common thread is Storytelling.
I’m a marketing-minded freelance editor and copywriter – hire me if your company or organisation needs compelling, effective, shareworthy marketing words (in English), or your team needs a training workshop about marketing, editing, copywriting or business storytelling. I’ve worked with clients in a wide range of industries. My mantra: Marketing doesn’t have to be sleazy.
I’m an improv performer, and I lead tailor-made corporate “Applied Improvisation” workshops – hire me if you want your team to build their skills in leadership, teamwork, communication, creativity, innovation, emotional intelligence, and agile responsiveness to change, risk and uncertainty. My mantra: Life is an improvisation game.
I work in the field of personal development and healing – my “The Playground of Possibilities” card deck and workshops will help your team (either individually or as a group) to transform their old, limiting thoughts, beliefs and stories about themselves, your organisation and world so that they heal and thrive (and that’s good for the whole organisation). My mantra: Life is a playground of possibilities.
