Thought Leadership
Ideas Built on Experience. Tested in the Real World.Norm Laviolette’s work sits at the intersection of improvisation, communication, and business performance—exploring how the principles of improv can shape better leaders, stronger teams, and more adaptable organizations.
A Body of Work Built on Applied Improvisation
Norm Laviolette isn’t just building companies—he’s building a framework for how people communicate, collaborate, and perform under pressure.
Over the past two decades, his work has explored a simple but powerful idea: the skills that drive great performance on stage—listening, adaptability, trust—are the same skills that drive success in business.
Through writing, speaking, and media, Norm has developed a point of view around applied improvisation—using the principles of improv not as entertainment, but as practical tools for leadership, teamwork, and real-world decision-making.
This page brings together his thinking, conversations, and ideas—offering a deeper look at the philosophy behind the work.
The Art of Making
Sh!t Up
A practical guide to thinking on your feet, adapting in real time, and communicating more effectively—without a script.
In The Art of Making Sh!t Up, Norm Laviolette breaks down the core principles of improvisation and shows how they apply far beyond the stage. What starts as a performance skill becomes a framework for leadership, teamwork, and navigating uncertainty.
The book explores how individuals and teams can become more adaptable, more collaborative, and more confident when there’s no clear plan—because in most real-world situations, there isn’t one.
- How “Yes, and…” becomes a tool for collaboration
- Why listening is the most underrated leadership skill
- How to stay flexible when plans change
- What it takes to build trust in fast-moving environments
Part philosophy, part playbook, the book translates improvisation into practical tools for real-world performance.
Beyond the Norm
A podcast about building businesses, navigating uncertainty, and figuring it out as you go.
Beyond the Norm is where Norm Laviolette explores the realities of entrepreneurship, creativity, and leadership—through conversations with founders, performers, and operators who are in the middle of building something.
The focus isn’t on polished success stories. It’s on the process: what works, what breaks, and what it actually takes to turn ideas into something sustainable.
- The intersection of creativity and business
- Leadership in unpredictable environments
- Communication as a performance skill
- Lessons learned from building and scaling companies
Each episode reflects the same philosophy behind Norm’s work: there’s no script—you learn by doing, adapting, and showing up.
Interviews & Features
Conversations, interviews, and media appearances that expand on Norm’s ideas around applied improvisation, leadership, communication, and building creative businesses.
Limitless Minds: “Train Your Brain to Adapt Faster”
A conversation on how improvisation builds adaptability, strengthens communication, and helps people perform more effectively in unpredictable environments.
Bring Experience to Your Team
Whether you’re planning a keynote, leadership offsite, or team development program, Norm delivers experiences your team will actually remember—and skills they’ll actually use.
From the first interaction to the final takeaway, every program is designed to engage your audience, strengthen communication, and create lasting impact.