Tag: Leadership

Posted on

Get Comfortable with Improvisation: Practical Tips for D&D and Leadership

Professional using improvisation learned from D&D at work.

I’ve written previously about the importance of improvisation, both at the gaming table and as a leader. However, improvisation can be intimidating in both cases. Yet, being able to think on your feet, adapt to unexpected changes, and make decisions in the moment is a vital skill that can boost your confidence and enhance your leadership abilities. This article covers practical tips for getting more comfortable with improvisation and explores how this skill benefits both D&D players and workplace leaders.

Why Improvisation Matters

In D&D, improvisation brings life to the game. A well-prepared Dungeon Master (DM) can set the stage, but it’s unplanned moments, like a character’s unexpected actions or a twist in the story, that make sessions really memorable. The ability to react, adapt, and roll with the punches is what keeps the game fluid and engaging.

Similarly, in the workplace, leaders face unplanned situations daily, from client feedback to team crises. Those who can adjust on the fly, make quick yet informed decisions, and guide their teams through uncertainty are more likely to succeed.

Practical Tips to Build Your Improvisation Skills

Here are some tips on how to improve your improv.

Embrace Mistakes

  • In D&D: No DM has every possible outcome planned, and that’s okay. When players go off-script, don’t be afraid to make something up on the spot—even if it’s a little rough. Mistakes can lead to more interesting storytelling. For example, a misunderstood rule might create a new, fun dynamic in combat or a half formed NPC plucked from thin air can become a much loved party companion.
  • In Leadership: Mistakes are learning opportunities. If you make a wrong call, own it, adjust quickly, and move on. Being comfortable with failure helps you improvise with less fear and hesitation.

Practice “Yes, and…”

  • In D&D: Yes, and… is an improvisation staple. Instead of shutting down an unexpected idea, build on it. If a player says something wild, rather than saying “no, that can’t happen,” try saying “yes, and…” to take their idea and move it forward. For example, if a player decides to negotiate with a monster instead of fighting, roll with it and add complexity to the encounter.
  • In Leadership: In meetings, say “yes, and” to ideas rather than shooting them down. Never dismiss things out of hand. Build on team members’ suggestions, fostering a more creative, solution-oriented environment.

Set Boundaries to Create Freedom

  • In D&D: Some of the best improvisation happens within boundaries. Give yourself a loose structure—like a few key story beats or a clear understanding of the environment—so you have a framework to work within. This allows you to improvise while staying grounded.
  • In Leadership: Having a clear vision or framework for your team gives you flexibility to adapt without losing sight of the overall goals. When improvising, it really helps to have a guiding principle to fall back on.

Start Small

  • In D&D: Try improvising in low-stakes situations before doing it in major story arcs. Start with character interactions, minor NPCs, or side quests, where a misstep won’t have huge consequences.
  • In Leadership: Begin by improvising during smaller meetings or in less formal conversations. Over time, this will help you build confidence for bigger moments, like client presentations or crisis management.

Prepare to Improvise

  • In D&D: Ironically, preparation can make you a better improviser. When you know the world, characters, and plot beats inside and out, you’ll have more flexibility to pivot. Write down a few rough outlines of NPCs’ or Factions personalities or motivations. When things go off-script, you can lean on that prep work to improvise in a way that feels natural.
  • In Leadership: In the workplace, preparation is key. Know your team, the project, and potential pitfalls ahead of time. This foreknowledge allows you to respond quickly and effectively when something doesn’t go according to plan. Be warned, improvising without preparation can lead to some pretty unpleasant outcomes.

Stay in the Moment

  • In D&D: Being present with your players keeps the game moving and lets you respond to their cues. Listen actively, react to their energy, and don’t worry about the next scene or arc—just focus on the moment.
  • In Leadership: In leadership, staying present helps you stay attuned to your team’s needs. Active listening allows you to catch important cues in meetings or conversations, which aids in quicker, more adaptive decision-making.

Use Prompts and Constraints

  • In D&D: If you’re struggling to improvise, lean on prompts like dice rolls or random tables for inspiration. These can kick-start your creative process when your mind goes blank.
  • In Leadership: In the workplace, use frameworks or decision-making tools to help structure your thinking when improvising. For example, asking yourself key questions (like “What’s our goal?” or “What resources do we have?”) can guide your decision-making.

The Benefits for D&D Players

Improvisation adds richness to the experience of playing D&D. As a DM, it creates organic moments of storytelling, while as a player, it enhances your ability to contribute meaningfully to the group dynamic. It also:

  • Improves problem-solving skills: In a game where dice rolls and player choices can change the course of events, improvisation is essential for finding solutions to unexpected problems.
  • Enhances creativity: The more you improvise, the more you’ll notice new ways to tackle challenges or interact with the story.
  • Boosts confidence: Every time you improvise successfully, you build your self-assurance, making future off-the-cuff moments easier and more fun.
Learning improvisation at the gaming table can really help at work.

The Benefits for Leaders

For leaders, improvisation offers tangible workplace benefits:

  • Adaptability: In today’s fast-changing business environment, leaders who can pivot when needed are invaluable. Improvisation teaches you to think quickly, assess the situation, and make decisions that keep the team moving forward.
  • Problem-solving under pressure: Much like in D&D, leaders often have to deal with unexpected challenges. Being comfortable with improvisation helps you manage these situations without getting overwhelmed.
  • Building team trust: A leader who is adaptable and open to creative solutions will foster an environment of trust and innovation. Team members will feel more comfortable bringing forward their ideas, knowing the leader can roll with the unexpected.

Improvisation Is a Skill Anyone Can Develop

Improvisation isn’t about being reckless or making things up for the sake of it. It’s about responding to the moment with confidence, creativity, and control. Whether you’re running a D&D game or leading a team at work, you can practice and refine this skill through small, intentional actions. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes—and the more effective you’ll be in both your roleplaying and leadership endeavors.

For more inspiration about improvisation check out this article from Forbes for leaders and this one from D&D Beyond for the gaming inspiration.

Posted on

Character Death: Embrace the Suck and Grow Resilience

Characters in roleplaying games are an extension of each player. Which is why character death is more than just a game mechanic—it’s a powerful tool for storytelling, tension, and personal growth. When a beloved character meets their end, it can be devastating for players. Yet, these moments also provide an opportunity to build resilience. In real life, failure often feels like a setback, but it’s actually a critical part of growth. The same is true in D&D: loss, adversity, and even death create some of the most cinematic and unforgettable moments in the game.

In my long-running campaign, we’ve had our fair share of tragic yet unforgettable character deaths. One of my favorites was a dwarf pugilist who heroically fought his last battle, only to be turned into a statue—immortalized in stone, a symbol of both his strength and vulnerability. A halfling midwife was vaporized in a split second by a green dragon, a gut-wrenching moment of loss that haunted the party for sessions afterward. A tiefling warlock sacrificed her very existence to save the rest of the group. Her selfless act transforming the party dynamic forever. These deaths were heartbreaking, but they were also cinematic, exciting, and pivotal moments in the campaign.

Medusa, a regular source of character death

Character death, like failure in life, can feel like an ending. But in D&D, it is also a beginning—a chance to reflect, grow, and adapt. Just like the stories we tell in the game, our failures in real life can become part of a larger journey. They don’t define us, but they do shape us. The more we play, the more we learn that resilience is key to both the game and to life.

Three Tips for Building Resilience Through D&D

1. Embrace the Story, Not Just the Success

Death and failure are part of the journey. While everyone loves a victorious ending, the setbacks and losses are what make the victories truly memorable. When your character falls, think of it as an opportunity to add depth to your story. How does your party react? How does the world remember your character? By embracing these moments, you develop the ability to face and process loss, which is key to resilience.

Resilience Tip: Take time to reflect on what the character meant to you and the story. Honor their journey, even in their demise. The emotional impact will deepen your connection to the game and make your next character all the more meaningful.

2. Adapt and Overcome

Of course, the death of a character doesn’t mean the end of the campaign, and it shouldn’t mean the end of your engagement with the story. Whether it’s rolling up a new character or finding creative ways to re-enter the narrative (perhaps through a descendant or a resurrected version with lingering consequences), the game challenges you to adapt. This builds mental flexibility and teaches you to face challenges head-on rather than giving up.

Resilience Tip: When a character dies, brainstorm new ways to stay involved in the story. Maybe your next character can help the party move forward, or you can shift your focus to supporting other players’ stories. This ability to adapt strengthens resilience, both in the game and in real life.

3. Celebrate the Failure

Character deaths can feel like a failure, but often they’re the most memorable part of the game. Lean into those moments—remember them, share them, and laugh about them. Some of the greatest stories come from plans going wrong or characters meeting unexpected ends. Just as in life, failure is a stepping stone to growth, and those hard moments often lead to the most rewarding learning experiences.

Resilience Tip: After a character death, take time to celebrate the story of the character and what they achieved before their demise. Talk to your fellow players about the impact of the moment. By turning failure into a point of celebration, you can shift your mindset toward seeing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Final Thoughts

Dungeons & Dragons, like life, is filled with ups and downs. Character death and failure are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable. They teach us to roll with the punches, adapt to change, and find meaning in the struggle. The next time your character faces their doom, take a deep breath and remember: it’s all part of the journey. Through these moments, both in the game and in life, we build the resilience that carries us forward.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about embracing it, learning from it, and continuing the adventure. So, let your character’s death become part of your legacy—because, in the end, the stories we tell about our failures are often the ones that shape us the most.