Unleash Innovation by Using Constraints to Your Advantage

The word “constraint” generally carries a negative connotation.

Most people don’t like constraints, which is understandable as constraints are limiting. They either block us from doing what we want or force us to do what we don’t want.

However, with the right mindset and approach, constraints can be a wonderful tool for unleashing creativity and innovation.

This improv game, Scenes Without the Letter, demonstrates this idea:

If you can’t watch the video, here’s what happens in a nutshell:

• 2 players start a scene, but they are given one letter of the alphabet they are not allowed to use in any word they say.
• If one player uses a word that has that letter in it, they are “dinged!” out of the scene and replaced by a third player.
• The next time someone uses a word that has the letter in it, they are then “dinged!” out and the previously removed player comes back in.
• The scene continues with people jumping in and out as the letter is said.
• Additionally, people are “dinged!” out for talking to slow, for using 1 or 2 word sentences, and for using very bad grammar.

After having performed and taught this game for years, I noticed a simple but powerful distinction between people who struggled and those who played it well:

• People who struggle playing this game tend to have an idea for what they want to say, realize they are about to say a word that has the forbidden letter in it, and then they desperately try to find a word that doesn’t have that letter in it that will let them say roughly the same thing they originally intended.
• People who do well tend to have an idea for what they want to say, realize they are about to say a word that has the forbidden letter in it, and then insert any word that fits grammatically and doesn’t have the letter in it.

More often than not, this second approach forces the scene into a completely new direction, different from what the improviser originally intended.

(Note: the performers in the video are experienced improvisers, and fall into the 2nd category. They all did a great job!)

Contrary to being a bad thing, that element – forcing the players down a completely new path – is a powerful tool that always makes the game more interesting and fun for both the performers and audience.

It is this element that you can use off-stage to unleash innovation in your own life.

How to Use This “Off-Stage”

In this game, the inability to use a certain letter of the alphabet is a constraint. That constraint, when viewed properly, is a tool that directs and unleashes creativity.

In the same way, you have constraints in your life, business, and career.  The natural tendency is to complain about constraints, and to try to stick to your original plan in the face of the constraint.

Just like in this game, your biggest struggles will come when you try to stick adamantly to your original plan in the face of a tough constraint.

To unleash innovation, switch your mindset to using the constraint to move down a new path. It may be scary and uncertain, but that is the place where some of your best ideas will come from.

Here are three tips to implement this new way of thinking:

1. Change how you think about constraints – Stop thinking of constraints as obstacles that don’t let you do what you want. Start thinking of them as opportunities to innovate and differentiate yourself from your competition. This simple mental shift is the first step in turning obstacles into opportunities.
2. Explore the random – In the creative process, you will come up with some (or many!) random ideas; ideas that have no connection to what you think you should or could be doing. Don’t ignore these! Let yourself explore the idea. You may or may not use them, but if you don’t give yourself permission and a little time to explore, you are cutting off a large chunk of creative opportunity.
3. Reconnect the new idea to the old – The big fear with going in a new direction is that you will end up somewhere random that is completely unrelated to your strategic objectives. This is a valid fear. To avoid falling into this trap, periodically reconnect your random ideas back to your objectives.  The better you get at reconnecting new ideas to old, the easier time you will have generating and implementing new ideas.

The Scenes Without the Letter Game is tough, but when the players embrace the proper approach it is hilarious for the audience and also allows the performers to be more creative.

Use some of the lessons from this goofy improv game in your own life and business and you can reap some of the same creative and innovative benefits!

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Would you like to bring the same humor, energy, and message to your conference or meeting? Then check out Avish’s Keynote Experience’s page and contact him now to lock in your date!

(Note: This recording was from a Speaker’s Convention where Avish organized a show featuring himself and  five other speakers. When he keynotes your event, he will be solo but he will play this game with volunteers from YOUR audience – with hilarious results!)

And for more ideas on Innovation, check out Avish’s Free E-Book: “Leading Innovation – How to Get Your Team, Department, and Organization to Stop Whining About Change and Start Embracing Innovation!”