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“Yes, and…”
Perhaps the first rule of improvisational comedy, “Yes, and…” is an approach to collaboration that emphasizes acceptance what your fellow collaborators offer and then building on it. “No,” on the other hand, begins an argument, and arguments aren’t very funny.
It reminds me of wu wei in how a “Yes, and…” approach goes with the flow of things and avoids getting bogged down in resistance to others.
Even Friedrich Nietzsche in The Gay Science approaches the idea:
I want to learn more and more to see as beautiful what is necessary in things; then I shall be one of those who make things beautiful. Amor fati [love of fate]: let that be my love henceforth! I do not want to wage war against what is ugly. I do not want to accuse; I do not even want to accuse those who accuse. Looking away shall be my only negation. And all in all and on the whole: someday I wish to be only a Yes-sayer.
At Work
I find a “Yes, and…” mentality helpful when collaborating with others. If someone offers up an idea, saying “No” and explaining why their idea is bad will discourage them from further participation. It often discourages others as well, harming the energy of the group since fear of failure is contagious.
There is a “Yes, and…” way to disagree with someone, which is to accept their idea and run with it in the direction of the problem you foresee, though you may be surprised that they have a solution for it.
Quotes
I wish to be at any time hereafter only a yea-sayer! (Friedrich Nietzsche in The Gay Science, who I do not believe ever did improv but who would have been a riot at it.)
More On “Yes, and…”
There are No Mistakes
In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents. (Tina Fey, Bossypants)
If you hit a wrong note, it’s the next note that you play that determines if it’s good or bad. (Miles Davis)
This jives with challenges are opportunities.
Further Reading
- Impro For Storytellers by Keith Johnstone was my first introduction to the theory and practice of improv