I had a chance to share a few improv games this morning at the ActKM conference in Melbourne. I chose some simple turn-taking games which generally show that following apparently simple instructions in groups rapidly reveals all manner of things about the complexities of collaboration. As well as raising some laughs.
Keith de la Rue was there and he made an interesting connection between the games and research highlighted by Keith Sawyer (I blogged it here). Essentially, the strongest predictors of group cognitive ability are not the smarts of the individuals but their social sensitivity and willingness to take turns. I thought this added another layer to my fascination with these games.
Meanwhile, across town Viv was also playing improv. She has some good things to say there about the idea of just doing improv and not getting attached to selling it.