Change is inevitable in day-to-day life.

Rather than resisting these changes, Mary Jane Pories suggests that we use the art of improvisation and brainstorming to embrace them.

Pories, CEO of Fishladder, Inc., hosted a presentation called “Improvisation: Wild Brainstorming” at Loosemore Auditorium on Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus on Tuesday.

“(The presentation aims) to provide the awareness that in brainstorming and in any creative dialogue, the skills of improvisation help generate new ideas,” said John Berry, director of Grand Valley State University’s Design Thinking Initiative, which sponsored the event.

The Design Thinking Initiative is a program which seeks to expose GVSU students and others to the collaborative method of problem solving known as design thinking.

“(I want to) demonstrate how the tools of improvisation provide a culture ripe for brainstorming,” Pories said. “This talk is intended to meet real-world needs. Understanding and applying the behaviors critical to effective improvisation is critical toward that end.”

During her talk, Pories discussed her experiences in the discovery of improvisation and the power of improvisation, as well as how supportive dialogue leads to greater creativity.

“Becoming comfortable with expressing what might be crazy idea and not being embarrassed by one’s own opinion leads to a more open and energetic conversation that can be fun and increase learning,” Berry said. “Listening to others ideas and being supportive of their thoughts is a skill all students can benefit from.”

Pories founded Fishladder, Inc. in 1999, which allowed her to use her experience in performing and applying improvisation to engage others in the power of “purposeful play” and collaborative problem solving. The company offers workshops, personal coaching and speaking engagements.

“Applied improvisation really can transform individuals, cultures and our world in positive ways,” Pories said.

Pories recently wrote the book “Yes, And! Harnessing the Power of Improvisation to Transform your Life and Work,” which focuses on the ideas she talked about in her presentation.

“These tools require that organizations and individuals plan, prepare, research, practice to be ready for the unexpected,” Pories said. “And then, in the moment, take advantage of the resources, opportunities and surprises that come with those unpredictable changes. It creates a posture of readiness and resilience.”

Fishladder, Inc. currently serves national and international clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits.

“Skills that encourage creativity are more valuable than negative criticism, which limits openness and discourages imagination,” Berry said. “If you believe that design thinking, creativity and innovation are important, then understanding the skills and value of improv is important.

“Instead of resisting change, there is a way to flourish in the midst of change,” Pories said.

To learn more about the Design Thinking Initative at GVSU and how to get involved, visit www.gvsu.edu/designthinking.