When I talk about “Yes, and” (the idea of accepting others’ ideas and building on them to spark creativity and collaboration), people get excited about the concept and want to bring it into their business.
But here’s the thing: after the excitement of my keynote fades, many struggle to put it into practice.
In an improv game, it’s easy to go along with even the wildest stories. A French pug riding a unicycle to the market to buy a Boyz II Men CD? Sure, why not!
But when faced with real-world challenges like scheduling conflicts, budget constraints, or location issues, many leaders hesitate. They get stuck at the first roadblock even though roadblocks are the best opportunities for “Yes, and” thinking!
I’ve helped clients overcome roadblocks by: - Looping in other departments (or even other companies) to join a session and share the budget - Transitioning events to a virtual format to make participation more accessible and cost-effective - Offering to repeat a workshop multiple times in one day so everyone gets a chance to attend - Securing a sponsor to cover costs and provide a special lunch for participants - Creating a payment plan to ease budget concerns - Delivering a free community workshop in addition to a corporate event to amplify impact and support outreach goals
Next time you’re faced with a challenge, ask yourself: am I making a list of excuses or solutions? With “Yes, and” thinking, the choice is yours.
Remember, the power of “Yes, and” isn’t just in saying it, it’s in living it. And there are countless opportunities to do that every day! Embrace your challenges, turn them into opportunities, and have fun seeing where it takes you.