Mike references VUCA in his presentation, which stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.

Here are a couple articles that might be helpful:

Leadership Agility: A Business Imperative for a VUCA World

Ready to Shift Your VUCA to VUCA Prime?

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Without question, 2020 has been a challenging year. As we move into 2021, the challenges remain. How do we lead in the midst of the uncertainties all around us?

In a very real sense, we have all been made improvisers, thrust on the “stage” of leadership, expected to lead with no training, no “script” per se that tells us what to say and what to do, and no training in improv theater. For many of us, this reality has left us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, uncertain, and frustrated.

However, we can lead with confidence and courage, as well as strengthen connections with others, as we move forward the emerging narrative of the congregations and communities we serve.

Applied improvisation will help.

On November 11, we examined the methods and mindsets trained improvisers learn and hone as their craft, in order to create compelling stories in the midst of uncertainty. Improvisers work together to create a story based on a suggestion from the audience. As stewards of, and leaders within, the narratives of the communities we serve, we basically do the same thing. We work together with others in this uncertain time to move the emerging story forward into the future.

From this recording, you will leave with:

  • The mindset and method of improvisers
  • Awareness of which relationships to strengthen and why
  • Steps to create synergy in key relationships

For Rev. Mike Weaver, coaching is a calling to develop leaders into highly influential people who make the world a better and brighter place. Mike is the first and only certified Keller Influence Professional in Columbus, Ohio, and the only pastor in the United States with this Certification. He is also a certified Erickson Solutions Focused Coach, director of Nine Seventeen Coaching, the Coaching Coordinator for the Southern Ohio Synod in the ELCA, and a pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Columbus. Mike received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Miami University and Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary. He is the author of Your Life Improvised: 7 improv secrets to help you be happy, live freely, and connect with God and others naturally, Simple Prayer: Daily Prayer One Sentence at a Time, and has been published in The Lutheran and The Little Lutheran magazines. Mike is an accomplished improv performer and teacher. He received training from Cinublue Productions in Columbus, Ohio, the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York City, the Bay Area Theater Sports in San Francisco, and Keith Johnstone. He has performed with the Black Box Improv Theater in Dayton, Ohio, and for nearly two decades with his friend, Kristen, as Easily Amused Improv. He has taught the principles of applied improv to corporations and non-profits in Europe, India, and the United States. Mike is a contributing member to the board of the Applied Improvisation Network.

Questions to consider and experiments to try (like we did in breakout rooms during this session):

1.  Share your favorite pet peeve for one minute. Each person shares one at a time, and another person in the group is the time keeper.

2.  Who do you need to connect with and invest time in this month?

3.  Over the last eight months, in what ways have you improvised your way through leadership in the church? Name them.

4.  Think of/write down two of your most favorite things. Do not share them with others yet. Then in pairs, each person shares one of the two things. Combine those two items (one from each person) and create something that has never been created.