BRAINSTORMING 220. Yes And Before focusing on what’s wrong with an idea, practice “Yes And” and focus on what’s right with an idea. Yes And comes from improvisation, and, at its core, is about accepting an idea (yes) and building on it (and). Both elements are equally important. The yes doesn’t mean you agree with an idea, merely that you accept it as being offered. The and takes what you like about the offer and adds something else, continuing to progress the idea. Notice how different this is from the traditional work phrases of No Because, where you say no and explain what’s wrong, or Yes But, where technically you say yes but then still explain what’s wrong. This type of mindset is too obsessed with what is instead of what could be. 1 Instead, focus on opportunities and think Yes And . 1 In fact there’s an exercise called Yes And you can specifically use. Start brainstorming out loud. After each idea, the next person who speaks says “Yes, and...” then adds something to the idea. 119