This is the lucky 13th post in my 16 post series on things I've learned in 16 years in business. To read the previous posts scroll down. You can read the introductory post to his series here.
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Several years ago, my good friend Kat Koppett, an expert in improvisation, taught me one of the key tenets of - the concept of "yes, and." This concept allows improve actors to always focus on what's next rather than worrying about what has happened, the crummy line their partner left, them, etc.
Kat shared with me that this idea is part of how improvisational actors do what the rest of see as magic - working without a script, and without a net.Since learning this from Kat, and watching her excellent example both on and off stage, I've thought a lot about the power of AND, and I've realized it is valuable for the rest of us, not just those who an can improvise a story in front of a group.
Here are five powers of and, and how we can use them in our professional and personal lives.
And provides options. When you ask someone a question, they answer and you reply with "and . . ." you are encouraging them to provide more options, look deeper and consider more. We could go to the ballgame and the ballet. We could swim and fish. We could sing and dance. We could look for process improvements and breakthroughs. The world is full of options. When we say and rather than or, we and thinking like the world operates.
And provides balance. Take one of my examples in the previous paragraph - process improvement and breakthroughs. An organization, team or individual who gets too focused on either end of that spectrum, will miss opportunities. By thinking "and" we are naturally looking at more options, allowing us to find a better balance.
And creates space. Saying "and" in any conversation give people room and opportunity to say more. It is hard to talk about but easy to notice. Try it and you will see and feel what I mean.
And reduces judgment. Tell someone something, then say "but", and continue. Then replace the same two ends of the sentence with "and" in the middle. "But" implies judgment, and "and" doesn't. If you want to send a clear and observational message, use "and". If you want to improve the chance that people hear both parts of the message, use "and".
And is affirming. Because and reduces judgment, it is also much more affirming to people. It is only one word AND it makes a big difference.
