INSIGHTS: Try replacing ‘yeah, but...’ with ‘yes and’

...and see what happens

Want more actionable ideas from your team?

Want people to be able to change their minds and consider a different perspective?

>> Try replacing ‘yeah but’ with ‘yes and’ and see what happens.

Too often, ideas are put forward, or questions are raised - and shut down.?Not given enough space as the first and most obvious stoppers arise.

The whole point of an ‘idea’ is its novelty, which,?BY DEFINITION, is different from the existing belief or model.??

Most ideas are in fact duds, but you don’t often get to the best ideas on the first thought.??

You need to throw lots of ideas around freely; to connect ideas together; to allow the temporary suspension of reality and constraints - just enough - to allow ideas to arise.

The fast shutdown of the first and likely unworkable idea has the effect of shutting down the next and the next and the next.

In problem-solving sessions, the cynic, the self-described 'realist', kills innovation in its tracks with: "But we tried that, and it didn’t work."?or "Yeah, but we’ll never get the budget for that."

"Yes and…" is a well-known and powerful methodology used by improv actors and can be used to encourage creativity.

Instead of reacting and cutting down the ideas, the response becomes a variant of "Yes and…..".

Even if people don’t really agree with where the story is heading, you’ve just got to roll with it and keep going.

It forces people to contribute and extend the initial idea. Expand and build on, rather than close down, the innovation process.

Procrastination - the key to traction

Procrastination gets automatically bundled in with concepts like confusion or laziness.

However, there is great power in procrastinating things that don’t matter.

Great strategy is being clear about the things you DON’T DO.??

The Pareto 80:20 principle is not new, but still true: 20% of your activities will deliver an outsized 80% of the results.

So, the key to successful execution is to focus on the things that matter and be clear about the things that don’t.

Take a few minutes now:

• what is the BEST use of your time?
• what is ONE that is most likely to generate traction?

Have an ataraxic week.

Nigel

PS If you want some help, book a short chat and see if we can brainstorm your world a little and find some clarity.