U.S. News & World Report: How to Listen to New Ideas

September 23, 2009 – U.S. News & World Report

According to actress and comedian Amy Poehler, one of the key lessons of improvisational comedy is the term “Yes, And.” The idea is that the actor accepts whatever comes at him and instead of fighting it, in effect, says “yes” to it. The key, though, is the “and” part, which means you have to come back with something of value.

If you have watched improv, you already know how this works.

This really works in most business settings too. I listened to a very high-level business coach once talk to his executive client. His side of the conversation went something like this:

“I see.”

“Good.”

“I see.”

“That’s good.”

“Maybe next time you can say AND instead of BUT.”

“OK, let’s talk next week.”
That was it, I kid you not. He told me that if most executives simply could say “Yes, and,” they would not need to pay his exorbitant coaching fees. (Note to coaches: Yes, I know there is more to it than that.) Read story.