Do Improvise: Less Push. More Pause. Better Results. A New Approach to Work

by Robert Poynton

Every day we deal with the unplanned and the unexpected, from a broken toaster to losing (or gaining) a major client. Our natural ability to improvise gets us through. But we feel as if we’re winging it, rather than acting with courage and conviction.

Robert Poynton teaches his acclaimed method to some of the world’s biggest brands and companies. Now, he shows us how these improvisational skills can be applied to the everyday business of work and life – helping us to navigate daily obstacles and reminding us how the unplanned and the unexpected can be a source of wonder and delight.

Do Improvise will help you

Become more productive without trying harder Overcome creative blocks and generate new ideas Respond fluidly to circumstances beyond your control Realise that you don’t have to know everything Not sure what to do next? Improvise.

'Improv skills can transform a person's experience of everyday life, and this delightful book by the reliably brilliant Rob Poynton will show you how.'
John-Paul Flintoff, author

'A handbook for spontaneous and creative living, from a brilliant practitioner who lives by his own words.'
Adam Morgan, founding partner, eatbigfish

‘Robert’s book is insanely relevant as we seek to make sense of our lives and our work practices... I love the book.’
Chris Pirie, founder, The Learning Futures Group

Robert Poynton 2025 (P) Do Books Audio 2025

Audible Audio

Published May 22, 2025

About the author

I live off grid in rural Spain, 3km outside a small town that no-one has heard of. My most recent book, 'Do - Pause', was shaped by this place and its rhythms - both natural and human. I continue to write about pause. I think we need constant reminding that our best ideas and best selves come from variation, not from being 'always on'. 'Do - Pause' received so much attention when it was published last year, that I also decided to create The Pause Project (for more information see: www.pauseproject.space).

'Do - Improvise' and 'Everything's an Offer', my two previous books, are both about improv and how the ideas and practices it rests on can help us in every day life and work. I believe that creating the conditions where good things can happen is more powerful than trying to control events or people. It is amazing to me that a body of ideas I first encountered nearly thirty years ago continue to be so helpful and so relevant.