In an age of artificial intelligence and automation, new research finds that the ability of workers to improvise and innovate is already underused.
A study of 1,000 workplaces published inĀ Thinking on your feet,Ā a report byĀ the commercial subsidiary of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art,Ā RADA Business,Ā found that 91% of people say that they regularly experience situations where employees have failed to apply a flexible way of communicating and common sense as a result of not being able to think āin the momentā, respond appropriately and improvise a creative solution.
The report identifies the effects of not being able to think creatively and reveals that 46% of people have experienced impatient customer service. Other poor staff behaviours found include unhelpfulness (45%), poor communication (38%), or rudeness (37%). Ā
Customers are quick to make judgements about organisations as a result, with 88% admitting that they make negative assumptions about the entire organisation due to inappropriate staff behaviour.Ā
Those working as professionals in the healthcare sector were revealed to have the strongest ability to improvise and work well under pressure (40%), followed by counter staff in banks (23%) and admin staff in the NHS (23%).
91% of people say that they regularly experience situations in which employees have failed to apply a flexible way of communicating
At the other end of the spectrum, the research found that those working as estate agents (9%), staff at utility companies (10%), or staff on public transport (15%) struggled to think quickly and be able to improvise effectively.
Although all three sectors require the ability to communicate well with customers and to make a positive impression, itās clear that often this isnāt always delivered effectively. This can be due to a range of reasons including difficult customers or stressful situations.
Workers struggling to respond effectively or appropriately need adequate support. Therefore, itās important for companies to embrace improvisation skills to unlock the true potential of their workers, so they can respond to each challenge in the best way.
Kate Walker Miles, tutor and Client Manager at RADA Business, comments on the findings: āCustomers appreciate being heard and react positively towards workers who go the extra mile, but robotic service and a diminishing ability to improvise can leave customers feeling frustrated.
By viewing the organisation from the perspective of your customer, you can understand clearly how the business is being perceived and encourage a positive culture of improvisation.”