Credit to fizkesCan you be the reason someone else says “Yes, And” to themselves?I first did improv comedy not because I saw it and fell in love with it, but because a friend said to me, “you should do improv comedy, you’d be good at it.”I started my improv group after college not because I

“Yes, And” Whisperers

Image credit: eamesBotOne TRILLION dollars. Every. Year.According to Gallup, that’s how much turnover costs companies in the U.S. alone. Here’s a crazy thought: what if the solution to this lies not in traditional corporate strategies, but in the unscripted world of improv comedy?What?! That’s crazy talk!I know it sounds nonsensical, but hear me out…Consider some of

Can Improv Comedy Reduce Turnover?

In a few months, my parents are throwing themselves a 60th wedding anniversary party – woohoo! My dad, who doesn’t understand technology so well, asked me to send out the invitations via email.“Sure dad,” I said, “can you send me the list of emails?”It took him some time to gather the emails, but once he

Dealing With an Employee Who is Set in Their Ways

Do you ever look at some of your childhood friends and the respectable things they are doing now and think to yourself, “wow! I can’t believe all the amazing things they are doing! Who would have guessed that way back when?!?” One of my best friends from high school was recently promoted to a high-ranking position

Use “Yes, And” to Engage a New Team Quickly

You know what’s awesome? When your business grows fast. Yay!You know what can be hard? All the challenges that come along with rapid growth – changes that people who have been with you for a long time may not like. Boo!Rapid growth is great, but if you don’t manage the changes it creates you could

Conquer Rapid Growth Like a Boss!

Image credit: krakenimages.com(And Why It’s Important)“Because it’s a stupid idea. No one’s gonna go for it. Don’t you understand? It’s stupid. It’s stupid…”-Seinfeld; Season 22, Episode 7:  The InvitationsI recently presented a keynote for a conference on using “yes, and” to increase innovation. One of my main points was the importance of saying “yes, and”

How to “Yes, And” Bad Ideas