Most creative people have heard of the idea of having a “yes, and…” attitude. The term comes from improvisational theater and refers to validating and building on ideas to create a dynamic and productive collaborative environment. But what exactly is the opposite of “yes, and…”? There’s a common misconception that it’s “no, but…” – but that’s not entirely true. “No, but…” can also be a positive response.
Let’s delve deeper into the topic and explore the four different attitudes that affect creative collaboration.
Four Response Variants
1) “Yes, and…” – The Optimal Attitude
This is the best and most creative response. By saying “yes, and…” you’re validating the previous idea and building on it. It creates a collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels included.
Example:
- Person A: “I think we should go on vacation together!”
- Person B: “Yes, and we can rent a cabin by the sea!”
- Person C: “Yes, and we can have a barbecue every night!”
Here the idea develops organically and becomes something everyone contributes to. This works not only in theater but also in creative processes, brainstorming and problem solving.
2) “Yes, but…” – A hidden brake on ideas
On the surface, “Yes, but…” seems to be a positive response because it starts with a “yes”. But it is immediately followed by a “but”, which often implies an objection or a question. It is like saying “I hear what you are saying… but you are wrong.”
Example:
- Person A: “I think we should go on vacation together!”
- Person B: “Yes, but it will be expensive and difficult to fit everyone’s schedules together.”
Here the reasoning stops because “yes, but…” effectively blocks the creative development. It sounds permissive, but in practice it kills the idea.
3) “No, but…” – An unexpected detour
This may seem like a negative response, but “no, but…” actually has the potential to lead to something positive. Here, you start with a “no,” which rejects the idea, but follows up with a new suggestion.
Example:
- Person A: “I think we should go on vacation together!”
- Person B: “No, but we can plan a weekend getaway instead!”
The problem with “no, but…” is that the first person loses the sense of ownership of the idea. Instead of building on the original idea, a completely new direction is created. That’s why “no” is avoided in creative exercises – it creates a feeling that the idea was rejected, rather than developed.
4) “No, and…” – The destructive response
The worst of all variants is “no, and…”. Here, you first say no, which stops the ongoing reasoning, and then you add more reasons why the idea won’t work.
Example:
- Person A: “I think we should go on vacation together!”
- Person B: “No, and we don’t have the time or money anyway.”
The conversation ends here immediately. There is no opportunity to develop the idea further. In creative contexts, this is the most inhibiting response and should be avoided altogether.
The real opposite of “Yes, and…”
Many people think that “no, but…” is the opposite of “yes, and…”, but in fact the biggest opposite is nothing at all – not answering. When someone says “yes, and…” they are confirming and inviting further discussion. If no one answers at all, a pause occurs where no confirmation or development takes place.
In creative workshops, you sometimes see this behavior when participants don’t want to be negative but also don’t want to contribute. Silence then kills the idea just as effectively as “no, and…”. An experienced facilitator can then break the silence by using “yes, and…” themselves to help the idea move forward.
Practice “Yes, and…”
Adopting a “yes, and…” attitude takes practice. Here are some ways to practice:
- Practice in meetings
Start by internally reasoning in terms of “yes, and…”. When someone presents an idea, try to think in your head how you can build on it, and then, when ready, say it out loud. - Take a class in improvisational theater
Improvisational theater is an excellent environment to practice “yes, and…” because it is often the first exercise of improvisation. - Use tools like plus cards
In workshops, you can use plus cards where participants are only allowed to write down positive developments of an idea. This forces out negative responses and helps cultivate a “yes, and…” mentality.
“Yes, and…” is thus a simple method for creativity and collaboration. The opposite is not really “no, but…” but silence, where no confirmation is given and the conversation dies down. By practicing actively building on ideas, we can create a more creative, inclusive, and inspiring work environment.
Next time you’re in a meeting – try “yes, and…” and see what happens!
