1. Many students of the Second City Training Center are businesspeople looking to gain skills for the corporate context. What skills from the world of improvisational comedy would be valuable to a business manager?
2. In what way does the focus of a learning organization address the transition to a new workplace as outlined in Exhibit 1.5?
3. What do you think would be the challenges of a manager in a learning organization? Why?

Imagine you have prepared for weeks for this moment. All eyes are on you and everyone is counting on you to make the most of this meeting. You must respond instantly and effectively to the changes in the interaction, affirm all participants and their ideas, and direct it towards a successful conclusion. And your partner is asking you to bark like a dog.
While many business meetings contain elements of this scenario, the most likely context is a Second City Theater production of improvisational and sketch comedy. Managers today are expected to deal with uncertainty, unexpected events, diversity, and change. They must demonstrate flexibility, foster trust, and engage the hearts and minds of employees. The managers at Second City have a leg up in developing these skills and dealing with these situations because Second City has been doing it for years . . . on stage.