‘That Reminds Me of a Story’ is an example of an unproductive game. Digression in a scene can be useful, especially when creative, off-the-beaten-path solutions are required. But when a long-winded anecdote leads down a side road completely unrelated to the scene, it can be a business buzz kill.

Before I learned to improvise, I wore this game out. It was easy for me – everything reminds me of a story, and I’m good at telling them. I often justified the game by imagining I was ‘bringing the brand narrative to life’. True? Maybe. Maybe I just liked hearing myself talk. Listen, here’s the pertinent truth about telling stories in business meetings, a truth I realized only after I learned improvisation: (more…)