# data[].attributes.headline
Yes, And Workshop Presentation | TalentLab.Live | CLEAR Program

# data[].attributes.subject
Yes, And Workshop Presentation | TalentLab.Live | CLEAR Program

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Yes, And | CLEAR Program 2025 | Session 4

# data[].attributes.headline
Two Second City Directors Show How Improv Can Be used In The Workplace

# data[].attributes.subject
Two Second City Directors Show How Improv Can Be used In The Workplace

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Two Second City directors show how improv can be used the workplace | Code 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Last spring, I took a six-week improv workshop at the legendary BATS Improv Theatre in San Francisco. It was really fun and rewarding, so I wanted to share it with the design team at Change.org. We set up a private workshop with my improv coach, Andy Sarouhan, at BATS Theatre in Fort Mason. He led us through a series of games and activities that focused on core improvisation skills-being present, close listening, playfulness, mental flexibility and, of course, the famous improv technique: "Yes, and." Every exercise was in a group or pairs, so no one was ever put on the spot. Andy calmed our nerves by saying that there's no pressure to be funny.

Our team had a blast. We came out of it with a bunch of great memories and a handful of ideas for using improv skills at work.

"Yes, and" is the operating system of improvisation. To break it down: "Yes" is the acknowledgement that the information your partner has just offered is indeed a reality to the world of that scene. "And" adds on a piece of information that relates to the last, creating a cohesive story.

Essentially, the improviser's only job is to respond to each of their partner's offers with one additional building block, however small or obvious it may seem. The scene naturally unfolds, creating the illusion that the world of the scene existed before the performance began.

We practiced the "yes, and" technique with a few games.
Remember Mexico?
Pairs open an imaginary picture album of their trip to Mexico and point to a picture. Here's an example:
Alyssa: "Oh! Remember that amazing restaurant on the beach?" David: "Alyssa: ", I remember that restaurant had the best margaritas ever, Board Meeting the bartender who made them was hilarious!" Alyssa: "You know what I would like? A flashlight that can store food." Everyone yells: "Yes!" Stewart: "Storing food in your flashlight is awesome, because who doesn't want an extra secret place to stash their snacks! Everyone quietly ponders and nods their heads: "mmmmm." ...I would love to have a flashlight that plays music." Nate: "That is great, because then you can have a dance party pretty much anywhere. Everyone quietly ponders and nods their heads: "mmmmm." ...It would be even better if the flashlight could be small enough to fit in your pocket." Everyone yells: "Yes!" , I do remember that amazing restaurant on the beach, remember how that restaurant had the best margaritas ever?" 3 Things
The powerful thing about "yes, and" is that it creates an environment where everyone feels safe and confident contributing ideas without fear of rejection.

In small groups, we were challenged to create a new version of an old product, so we brainstormed a new type of flashlight. It went something like this:

Jennifer: "That is brilliant, because then you can easily bring it anywhere and always have it with you!" ...and so on.
Word at a Time Stories
Not only were these games absolutely hilarious, but they helped build habits towards concentration and actually listening instead of thinking of a response while someone is talking.

In life, it's easy to overthink decisions. In improv, you're encouraged to go with the first decision. There are simply no bad ideas. 3 things is a rapidly paced game, which means there's no time to carefully select the "right" thing to say.

We let go of our inhibitions, and boy, were we surprised by some of the things that came out of our mouths. This game allowed us to embrace spontaneity and celebrate the strange and wonderful things we say when we speak without filters. When the mind is open and flexible, you can speak freely without fear of rejection - this is psychological safety.

As Andy said: " You are not responsible for your imagination. If you stifle it, you will lose the jewels. "

In pairs, we told stories in which each partner took every other word:

Nicholas: " Once "

David: " upon "

Nicholas: " a "

David: " time, "
Freestyle drawing
Nicholas: " there "
How can improv help your team?
David: " was "

Etc, etc.

The thing about this game is that each person is only in control of 50% of the story, so rather than planning ahead, it's best to stay in the moment and say what feels like a logical next word in the sentence. Through practicing staying present and sharing control, we learned that if we put trust in our partners, there would be magic.

With blank paper and colored pens, each person started drawing a face. When the bell rang, it was time to pass the paper on. As we built on each drawing by quickly sketching and building on ideas in rapid iteration, the characters took on a life of their own.

Improv engages the imagination and gently nudges everyone out of their comfort zone using playful games and collaborative exercises that build trust and openness.

I highly recommend BATS if your team is looking to try something new that will pull the ensemble together and enhance your collective creativity.

Contact BATS Improv @ Work for more information: http://www.improv.org/atwork/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last spring, I took a six-week improv workshop at the legendary BATS Improv Theatre in San Francisco. It was really fun and rewarding, so I wanted to share it with the design team at Change.org. We...

# data[].attributes.headline
Live About: Improv Acting Instincts & Performance With This Clever Improv Gam

# data[].attributes.subject
Live About: Improv Acting Instincts & Performance With This Clever Improv Gam

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Unless an actor is the star of a one-person show, his or her acting experience will involve a lot of cooperation and engagement with other actors. In theory, an actor should be able to pick up on his or her fellow actors' body language and tone, responding appropriately and seamlessly, even in the trickiest situations.

The Problems Actors Face on Stage When Things Go Wrong

Plenty of actors have been part of a scene in which lines are dropped. Without proper training, actors often stand speechless, wondering what happened, and what to do next. With an understanding of improv and cooperation, actors can seamlessly continue the scene, guiding the story back to the script.

Similar situations occur in a live theater all the time. A prop has disappeared, a cue is missed, a table is in the wrong position, and actors must work together to keep the scene moving forward in a plausible manner.

How Actors Learn to Go With the Flow on Stage

Part of the proper training for the unexpected involves improv work that requires creative cooperation. The game "Yes, And" forces actors to avoid rejecting other cast members' ideas, and, instead, to find a way to go with the flow. "Yes, And" is the opposite of "No, But," which is a response that can lead to catastrophe on stage.

The game "Yes, And" is very simple. In an improv situation, actors are required to accept their fellow actors' ideas and build on them. For example, at the beginning of the scene, the first character begins by establishing a setting and plot, as seen below.

Character #1: "What a hot and miserable day to be a ranch hand! " (Following the "Yes, And" method, the second character will accept the premise and add to the situation.)

Character #2: "Yep and the boss said we don't get no water until this fence is mended."

Character #1: "Yes and ain't he the meanest cuss we've ever worked for?"

Character #2: "Yep and it's made me think about leaving behind this cowboy life and headin' off for San Francisco."

Developing Conflict Can Help Actors Move the Plot Along

Now, the scene could continue on indefinitely with the actors simply agreeing with one another. However, it's best to develop conflict as well. For example:

Character #2: "Yep, and it's made me think about leaving behind this cowboy life and headin' off for San Francisco."

Character #1: "Yes, and you'd be broke twenty minutes after stepping off the stagecoach.

Character #2: "Yeah, and I supposed you think you could do better?!"

Character #1: "Yes! And after I made my fortune panning for gold I come back and buy this sorry ranch and you'd be working for me!"

After working on "Yes, And" exercises, actors ultimately learn how to do scenes in which they embrace the ideas and concepts offered by fellow performers. Actors don't actually need to say the words "Yes, And" for the system to work. They simply need to affirm what the character is saying and allow it to build the scene.

If actors deny their fellow performer, the scene may be dead in the water before it even had a chance. See how it could unfold:

Character #1: "What a hot and miserable day to be a ranch hand!"

Character #2: "No it's not. And we're not ranch hands either."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Improve Acting Instincts and Performance With This Clever Improv Game

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how actors can go beyond body language and use the "Yes, And ..." improv game to work together with others cooperatively, even in tricky situations.

# data[].attributes.headline
FastCompany: Yes, And...Improv Techniquest to Make You A Better Boxx

# data[].attributes.subject
FastCompany: Yes, And...Improv Techniquest to Make You A Better Boxx

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Many of our favorite comedians launched their careers in Improv, but it's also a tool for leaders to communicate more effectively with their employees. And, no, it's not about comedy or trust falls.

Charna Halpern, co-founder of iO (formerly ImprovOlympic), a Chicago and Los Angeles-based theater and training center that launched the careers of comedians like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Mike Myers, says business leaders can benefit from incorporating improvisation techniques into their leadership style. Halpern says iO emphasizes a high-level communication and collaboration.

Improv is based on soft skills such as listening and communicating. Listening is crucial because you need to be present and in the moment, Halpern says. "Most people are waiting to speak and not listening in the moment. Instead, they're thinking of what they're going to say," she says. In improv, you must listen to what's been said and pay attention so you can react appropriately. If you're not focused on what's happening around you, you miss an opportunity to build the scene, and the show comes to a screeching halt.

Halpern recalls doing press with actor Mike Myers for iO's twenty-fifth anniversary a few years ago. Myers had a really bad travel experience, and arrived at the radio station with a great story to tell. After being introduced on-air, Myers tried to tell his story about how he almost didn't make it to the show, but the interviewer barreled ahead with questions about Wayne's World. It was a lost opportunity to share a really funny story and connect with the audience.

Nobody wants to be thought of as an idiot, Halpern says. "Improv helps to get people to work together, where they're not afraid to make a suggestion," she says. It creates a positive working environment, where employees know they can provide ideas without fear that they'll be shot down.

In Tina Fey's bestselling book, Bossypants, Fey outlines the rules of improv: Always say "YES, AND..." meaning, always agree, and add something to the discussion. For example, in an improvised scene with a partner, never say no. If you're in a boat rowing down the river, you don't say, "No, we're folding laundry." You say, "Yes, and we could really use a paddle instead of my arm." It adds to the scene, humor can develop, and trust is established between scene partners.

Brainstorming leads to the best ideas, Halpern says. "Your best ideas can come from the silliest ideas." By using improv tools, you're making your team look good, listening, remembering what's been said, and revisiting it later.

Bob Kulhan, co-founder and CEO of Business Improvisations, a company that offers high-end, experiential workshops for business leaders around the globe, says improv tools can benefit business leaders tremendously. "The core of business improv is reacting - being present in the moment at a very high level and reacting honestly," Kulhan says. The focus of his work with leaders focuses on reacting, adapting and communicating; three core components to great leadership. "The most enlightened leaders take improv and fold it into their own leadership style. [improv] becomes a critical component of strategy," he says.

Kulhan says while it's important to create a safe space for people to thrive, take chances, fail, engage in "Yes, and..." types of exercises, and suspend judgment, it's equally important to create a space for critical thinking. The former's the time for all ideas, no matter how silly; the latter's the time to edit: to find the ideas with potential and move forward.

"Improv on its own is incredibly powerful," Kulhan says. In addition to helping participants find their own voices, it creates authenticity and a team-oriented atmosphere. Classes are typically offered at places like iO, Second City, or other theaters, colleges like Duke, Columbia and UCLA offer improv courses as part of their management programs. For example, Duke University offers a three-day open enrollment program for leaders called " Managing the Unexpected." Comedy venues like iO and Second City also offer customized programs for businesses that want corporate training.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Yes, And... Improv Techniques To Make You A Better Boss

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many of our favorite comedians launched their careers in Improv, but it's also a tool for leaders to communicate more effectively with their employees. And, no, it's not about comedy or trust falls.

# data[].attributes.headline
Zapier: 4 Rules of Improv & How They Relate to Customer Support

# data[].attributes.subject
Zapier: 4 Rules of Improv & How They Relate to Customer Support

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
4 Rules of Improv and How They Relate to Customer Support | Zapier

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Let’s take a look at Fey’s four rules of improve and see how they apply to customer support.

# data[].attributes.headline
Getting To Yes, And | The Second City Works Workshop

# data[].attributes.subject
Getting To Yes, And | The Second City Works Workshop

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kelly talks to Jill Stoddard, the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, to discuss her new book "Imposter No More: Overcome Self-Doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Second City Works | 'Getting to Yes, And' Podcast

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hosted by Kelly Leonard, Executive Director, Insights + Applied Improvisation, "Getting to Yes, And" features conversations with visionary writers, thinkers, and doers who are using creativity to challenge conventional business approaches.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What is Yes, And?

When improv comedy hits the mark, it's like a magical ride. A bunch of folks come together to whip up something that's connected, makes sense and cracks you up-out of thin air! And guess what? This isn't just for the comedy club. One of the main mantras of improv, "yes, and," can totally spice up your office grind too.

Now, you might think the "yes, and" thing means you have to keep piling on more stuff, or that you always have to play nice and agree.

Really, "yes, and" is all about deep listening, getting where the other person is coming from, and then adding something to their idea. When you bring this into the workplace, the "yes, and" improv trick can totally boost your career game while keeping your boundaries intact.

What is the Benefit of 'Yes, And' Thinking?

Often, most work cultures tend to critique, refine, or reject new ideas or suggestions. Sometimes, they may even repurpose these ideas. The "Yes! And" approach encourages people to accept and build upon these ideas, which can be reviewed and refined later or combined with other ideas generated during the session.

The "Yes! And" improv principle enables team members to build on each other's ideas. It ensures everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

In this approach, ideas are accepted without judgment, serving as stepping stones rather than final products subject to approval or rejection.

Watch The Second City Talk About How This is Leveraged
https://youtu.be/KA447nZpVzs
Resources: How to Use Improv at Work

Check out these excellent resources to help you dive deeper into running the Yes! And... practice with your team, customers, or stakeholders.

🌱 Improve Acting Instincts and Performance With This Clever Improv Game

🌱 Yes, And... Improv Techniques To Make You A Better Boss

🌱 4 Rules of Improv and How They Relate to Customer Support

🌱 "Improvisation is 'yoga for your social skills' and can make you better leaders" by Vox Media

**🌱 "**Yes, And" Book Summary

Materials Needed

No unique materials are needed for this activity. Just curious people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‘Yes, And...’ | CLEAR Program | Session 4