The Entrepreneur as Improviser

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The Entrepreneur as
Improviser

• A Plenary presentation for
• REES Stanford 2005
• Patricia Ryan Madson

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Who am I?
? Emerita faculty, Stanford University,
Department of Drama ? Winner of Stanfords
Dinkelspiel Award for Innovation in
Undergraduate Education ? Founded The
Creativity Initiative. Stanford ? Founder of
the Stanford Improvisers ? Consultant to
business and education on improvisation and
creativity ? Author of Improv Wisdom Dont
Prepare, Just Show Up WEBSITE
WWW.STANFORD.EDU/PATRYAN
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Instant Improv for Entrepreneurs

• 1. Say YES!
• 2. Say Ooopps. . . (TA-DA!)
• 3. Say Thank You

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Say YES!
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Say Oooops!
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Make Mistakes, Please Failure is okay.
Which is the most famous ocean liner?
(Keith Johnstone)
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Say Thank You
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Who else is helping?

• Make a list of those thanks to whom we are here
  today. Who are the others who are supporting our
  work here?

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The Three Gs

• Generosity
• Grit (Hard work)
• Gratitude

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The book, Improv Wisdom offers tips to help us
cultivate our capacity for creating excellence in
the workplace and in our personal lives. There
are 13 maxims that guide the way.
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Improv Maxims

• The First Maxim Say Yes
• The Second Maxim Dont Prepare
• The Third Maxim Just Show Up
• The Fourth Maxim Start Anywhere

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• The Fifth Maxim Be Average
• The Sixth Maxim Pay Attention
• The Seventh Maxim Face the Facts
• The Eighth Maxim Stay on Course
• The Ninth Maxim Wake Up to the Gifts

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• The Tenth Maxim Make Mistakes, Please
• The Eleventh Maxim Act Now
• The Twelfth Maxim Take Care of Each Other
• The Thirteenth Maxim Enjoy the Ride

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ENJOY THE RIDE
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Thanks for your attention.

• If youd like to contact me
• improvwisdom_at_comcast.net
• www.improvwisdom.com
• www.stanford.edu/patryan
• P. O. Box 909
• El Granada, CA 94018-0909