Thank you to author Rebecca Wenglinski, Founder & CEO, Lotus Business Growth Consultants and Chair, LMA Michigan Local Steering Committee for this recap blog of the LMA Midwest Conference session, "Improv Tools to Improve Your Skills and Advance
Your Career" from presenter Tom Keller, Director of Business Development at Kerr Russell.
At the recent LMA Midwest Conference, attendees explored an unconventional yet transformative approach to professional growth: improv comedy. The session, titled “Improv Tools to Improve Your Skills and Advance Your Career,” was led by Tom Keller, Director of Business Development at Kerr Russell in Detroit.
This dynamic session went far beyond theory. Through fun, interactive exercises, participants were invited to experience the principles of improv firsthand, discovering that while staying present in the moment is harder than it looks, it is also the key to unlocking meaningful connections and unplanned brilliance.
The room buzzed with energy and laughter as professionals practiced the art of “Yes, and…”, challenged their comfort zones, and learned how spontaneity and trust can lead to greater creativity, collaboration, and confidence in the workplace.
About Tom Keller: A Journey Fueled by Curiosity and Creativity
Tom Keller began the session by introducing himself and sharing his professional journey. As Director of Business Development at Kerr Russell, with five years at Miller Canfield and three LMA Midwest Conferences under his belt, Keller brings a wealth of experience in legal marketing.
Yet his path was far from conventional. Keller spoke openly about imposter syndrome and his unexpected career trajectory, noting how a background in improv comedy transformed the way he approaches his work. For five years, he trained in improv in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and soon realized that the lessons he learned on stage—collaboration, adaptability, and trust—were equally powerful in business development and marketing.
Lessons from Improv: The Power of “Yes, and…”
At the heart of Keller’s presentation was improv’s most essential principle: “Yes, and…”
This deceptively simple phrase carries deep meaning. It teaches us to acknowledge what others offer and build on it, rather than shutting it down. In improv—and in business—this mindset fosters openness, creativity, and progress.
Keller pointed out that saying “No” is safe. It keeps us in control and avoids risk. Even the more polite “Yes, but…” still undermines collaboration. “Yes, and…” creates momentum and encourages mutual exploration.
He clarified that “Yes” doesn’t mean blind agreement. It means validating another’s perspective and acknowledging common ground before adding your contribution.
Some practical ways to use “Yes, and…” in everyday communication include:
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“What I’m hearing you say is…”
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“I agree that…”
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“Let’s explore how that could work…”
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“Here’s some additional info…”
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“Tell me more…”
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“Would it help if I…?”
These statements shift conversations from opposition to collaboration, fueling shared understanding and innovation.
Active Listening and Communicating with Intent
Drawing inspiration from Greg Hohn, author of Putting Improv to Work: Spontaneous Performance for Professional and Personal Life, Keller highlighted how improv principles can be applied far beyond the stage to improve everyday communication and professional collaboration. Hohn’s work reinforces the idea that listening, trust, and spontaneity are at the core of meaningful performance—whether in an improv scene or a business meeting.
Keller emphasized that great improv, like great communication, starts with active listening. Listening, he said, is not a passive act. It’s a full-body experience that involves paying attention to tone, intent, and emotion.
Through exercises and discussion, participants explored the importance of:
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Active Listening – Being fully engaged and receptive to others’ ideas.
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Building Ideas Collaboratively – Co-creating instead of competing.
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Communicating with Intent – Being deliberate and clear in expression.
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Making Confident Choices – Trusting instincts and committing.
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Dynamic Mirroring – Matching others’ energy and communication style to strengthen connection.
These skills are important in performance and in client meetings, team collaborations, and leadership interactions.
What Makes Strong Improv (and Strong Teams)
Keller shared that the principles behind strong improv mirror those that make strong professional teams. They include:
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Collaboration – Building something greater together than anyone could alone.
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Trust – Believing in your partners’ abilities and intentions.
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Selflessness – Letting go of ego for the good of the group.
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Clarity – Communicating ideas simply and effectively.
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Commitment – Fully investing in the process, even when the outcome is uncertain.
When these qualities are practiced consistently, teams become more agile, innovative, and cohesive.
Interactive Learning: Letting Go of Control
Throughout the session, Keller led interactive improv exercises that brought these concepts to life. Volunteers joined him on stage to co-create stories, practice “Yes, and…” exchanges, and navigate mock workplace conflicts.
Participants quickly discovered how difficult it can be to stay present and surrender the need to control outcomes. Yet in doing so, they found new perspectives and surprising creativity. As Keller reminded the group,
“By surrendering our need to control, we can discover something more.”
Another key takeaway: “Being present can lead to being wonderful.” Instead of overthinking or planning the “perfect” thing to say, staying in the moment lets authenticity and imagination emerge naturally.
Applying Improv in the Workplace
Improv, Keller explained, isn’t just entertainment; it’s a toolkit for professional development. The same skills that make improv performers successful can elevate team performance, problem-solving, and leadership.
Improv techniques are beneficial for:
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Team Building – Strengthening trust and communication among colleagues.
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Brainstorming – Encouraging open-minded idea generation.
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Scenario Role-Playing – Practicing how to navigate real-world challenges.
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Public Speaking Prep – Building confidence, spontaneity, and clarity.
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Business Development and Sales Training – Adapting quickly and connecting authentically with clients.
When professionals apply improv techniques to their daily interactions, they enhance their ability to think on their feet, manage conflict with empathy, and cultivate creative solutions.
Creativity, Resilience, and Real-World Growth
Keller connected improv principles to broader lessons in career growth and personal resilience. He shared his ongoing creative project—writing a children’s book—as an example of how perseverance and play fuel innovation.
He encouraged attendees to embrace how creativity builds and improves over time, reminding them that great ideas often emerge from experimentation, failure, and refinement.
Key Takeaways
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“Yes, and…” is a mindset – Build on ideas instead of shutting them down.
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Listen actively and communicate with intent – Be fully present and responsive.
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Collaboration beats control – Teams thrive when everyone contributes openly.
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Trust and commitment matter – Confidence grows from shared effort and authenticity.
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Creativity takes courage – Letting go of perfection leads to growth.
Conclusion: The Magic of Being Present
Tom Keller’s Improv Tools to Improve Your Skills and Advance Your Career reminded participants that professional growth doesn’t always come from structure and certainty. It often arises from play, curiosity, and human connection.
By practicing active listening, collaboration, and the “Yes, and…” mindset, legal marketers and business professionals can communicate more effectively, innovate more freely, and build stronger, more trusting teams.
As Keller concluded,
“When we allow ourselves to be present, to listen, and to build on each other’s ideas, that’s when the magic happens.”
Authored by: Rebecca Wenglinski, Founder & CEO, Lotus Business Growth Consultants and Chair, LMA Michigan Local Steering Committee