Lesson 2: Play with ideas — don’t shut them down | Edward Norton

In the improv game “New Choice,” actors must rapidly replace their last line or action with something completely different. It keeps them from getting too attached to a single idea and often leads to discovering something even better and unexpected. Filmmaker and entrepreneur Edward Norton believes this same principle can extend beyond the stage. In this video lesson, he suggests how having a flexible mindset can strengthen workplace collaboration. Some people have a "videotape" in their head of how a project should go. But the best teams take the time to explore different ideas. Frame ideas as something that can be tried. Ask: What have we got to lose? When people have enough "rope" to tease out their ideas, it gives the group more options. © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Edward Norton: Edward Norton is an actor, director and philanthropist. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards, for Best Supporting Actor in "Primal Fear" and "Birdman", as well as Best Actor in "American History X." His other notable films include "Fight Club" (1999), "25th Hour" (2002), "The Incredible Hulk" (2008) and "Keeping the Faith" (2000), which he also directed. Norton is also known for his work on environmental and social issues like renewable energy and low-income housing. In May 2010, Norton co-founded the website Crowdrise, an online platform that harnesses the power of social networks for charities.