Saying "Yes And" to Idea-Chillers

From Day One of their training, performance improvisers are taught to say “Yes And” to onstage offers as a way to build upon each others’ suggestions and create interesting scenes in the moment. For example, if your partner says, “It’s pouring down rain today,” it’s better to respond “Yes, and I forgot my umbrella” than “What do you mean? The sun is shining!” Experience shows that audiences prefer to watch improv performers work together to create a scene, building on each other’s ideas rather than engaging in “Oh yeah?” “Yeah!” types of verbal duels.

Similarly, in business organizations, taking a “Yes And” approach can go a long way toward keeping possibilities open while also maintaining positive relationships. By contrast, adopting a “No” attitude can keep us grounded in the status quo while blocking teamwork right out of the gate.

There are many subtle ways for people to say “No” without actually using the word. Listed below are some phrases that people often use in meetings to immediately pour cold water on new ideas. Chronic use of these Idea Chillers – especially when accompanied by dismissive laughter and sarcasm - is guaranteed to stop innovation in its tracks, perpetuate Groupthink, and belittle and disrespect people. (To counteract the effect of Idea Chillers, try the responses in parentheses.)

“We tried that before and it failed miserably.” (Let’s look at why it didn’t work and do it differently this time.) 

“It's too expensive.” (How much do you think it will cost? What are the costs of standing still?)

“It’ll never work.” (How can we make it work?)

“We've never done it that way.” (The old way may have worked fine in the past – but maybe it’s time for a change.)

“Great idea, but not for us.” (Why aren’t great ideas for us?)

“People just aren’t ready for that.” (How can we gain acceptance for it?)

“Here’s why that won’t work …” (How can we address those challenges?)

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it.” (If we’re not moving ahead, we’re falling behind.)

“That won’t fly in our culture.” (Let’s consider if it will help us meet our strategic objectives and live our organizational values.)

“I don’t like it.” (What are your concerns, and how can we address them?)

“You have got to be kidding.” (It might sound a little “out there” – a lot of new ideas do.)

“It's all right in theory, but...” (How can we turn theory into reality?)

The British philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once said, "Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness when they are first produced."  Whitehead recognized that most creative advances grow from the seed of an idea that might seem strange and even outrageous at first (and thus susceptible to Idea Chillers) but can be nurtured and shaped through open-minded consideration of the possibilities. By taking a “Yes And” approach to ideas – that is, seeking to build on them rather than rejecting them out of hand – we can avoid the Idea Chillers that keep us from progressing as organizations and as individuals.