A Role for Theatre in the Education, Training and Thinking Processes of Managers

Abstract

This paper addresses the need for managers to possess hard-to-obtain skills in today's complex business environment. To achieve this, they need to expand their borders of knowledge beyond the barriers that logic imposes. This has to be reflected in managers' education, training and thinking processes. The first part of the paper examines how theatre techniques can contribute to the education of management students by exercising decision making, leadership, ethics and empathy. The second part focuses on the theatrical elements and techniques that can be used to train managers in organizations. In such cases the main training topics are innovation, active listening and spontaneity. Finally, the third part of the paper looks at the influence that theatre can have on managers' thinking processes. In this respect, it argues that the interpretation of the business environment as a dramatic scene is valid and accurate. This interpretation can help managers make wiser and better choices, especially when other people and impression management tactics are involved. In conclusion, the authors stress that theatre has been unjustifiably overlooked as a very effective medium for the development of managers' skills.