Consider letting “Yes, AND” work its magic on you
In this workshop you will discover how to generate more creative ideas in less time, re-think how meetings are structured, deepen listening skills and increase the engagement of stakeholders.
How will you discover this? I will teach you a simple process that requires practice. We will practice together. You will leave being able to teach others!
- Switch from “yes, BUT” to “yes, AND”
- Accept every offer
- Deepen your listening skills
- Make your partner look good
- Create a new story
How to improve workplace communication, make more out of meetings, and boost morale
This workshop will not involve performing on a stage, but will use techniques from the world of improv theater. One of the rules is to accept every offer. To switch from “yes, but” to “yes, AND”. In the world of improv, stifling, rejecting or shutting down an idea is known as “blocking.” Onstage, blocking your partner is not allowed because it stops the story in its tracks and makes your partner look bad. In our workplaces, blocking is common. It doesn’t have to be.
You’ve probably been in a meeting in which someone says, “Time for some problem solving. Let’s hear your ideas.” YOU have an idea, so you speak up. It’s barely out of your mouth when the response is, “That’s a great idea, but it would cost too much.” Or, “GREAT idea, but we tried it a year ago before you were here. Total flop.” And so on. Our “yes, but” muscles get lots more exercise than our “yes, AND” muscles. So much so that many great ideas never see the light of day. What a drag!
Maybe it would cost a lot, but maybe we could be creative in finding some money, if it’s truly a good idea. Maybe we did try this wonderful idea before you came along. And maybe it failed because YOU weren’t here yet. Maybe You have the key!
Let’s not be so quick to shut down possibilities.
The Accept Every Offer process teaches us how to practice listening and collaborating. Switching to “yes, AND” unlocks creative ideas – often from those who tend to be quiet during meetings. It also shifts the mood, builds momentum and boosts morale.
In a brainstorm session, when we “yes, AND” each other, we’re not saying we all agree with every idea. “Yes” does not mean we will, but rather, we might. “Yes” means your idea does not get blocked. It gets to live – at least for now.
Every idea that’s offered is met with “Yes, AND how about if we…” (another idea.) And then the next idea and the next and so on. You’ll find that forbidding the “yes buts” results in many more ideas in less time.
yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skillfully curled)
all worlds
– from “love is a place” by ee cummings
When your idea is met with “yes, AND” there is validation. When we validate your idea (remember, not necessarily agreeing it’s fabulous) we are validating YOU.
Think about that for a minute. Do you regularly feel validated at work? Imagine this evening you ask someone, “How was work?” You’re not likely to hear this in response: “Ugh, am I ever glad to be home! I’m exhausted from being validated so much today!”
In my opinion and in my experience, most workplaces could use more positive communication, more curiosity, more kindness, more listening and more joy. This process improves relationships. It builds respect. It reminds us, as Maya Angelou writes, “We need to remember that we are created creative, and we can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed.”