We’ve all been there before. You’re in a meeting, and someone has an idea. It’s not a great idea, but it’s not a terrible one either. You could shoot it down, but you don’t want to be the Negative Nelly. So, you say nothing. The next thing you know, the idea has been implemented, and it’s a complete disaster. If only you had said something…
In any workplace (or really, any social situation), there is always that one person who seems to have all the ideas. And while some of those ideas are good, others are, well, not so much. As tempting as it may be to just sit back and let that person run the show, eventually their bad ideas are going to come back to bite you. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to say ‘yes…and.’
In case you’re not familiar with the term, ‘yes…and’ is a communication technique that allows you to agree with someone while still offering your own input. For example, let’s say your boss comes to you with an idea for a new project. They might say something like, “I think we should start using video conferencing for all our meetings. What do you think?”
Your initial instinct might be to say no – after all, you like being in the office, and you’re not too keen on change. But instead of shutting down the idea completely, you can say ‘yes…and” by agreeing with your boss while still offering your own input. Something like this would work: “Yes and, maybe we can start with team meetings and then expand from there?” By using ‘yes…and,’ you are showing that you are open to new ideas while still being able to offer your own thoughts on the matter.
At first glance, the concept of "yes...and" may seem a bit abstract. After all, how can simply agreeing with someone give you the ability to influence and connect with others? However, when you learn the technique of ‘yes...and’, and apply it in your communication with others, you will quickly find that it taps into your Inner Genius and unlocks the Genius Zone where your true potential lies.
By using this technique to learn from others and build on their ideas, you will open yourself up to new opportunities for growth and discovery. You will be better able to connect with people from all walks of life, building relationships and influencing others through your thoughtful communication and abundant enthusiasm. Whatever path you choose in life, whether it's in business or creative endeavors or something completely different, the power of yes...and is one that is truly invaluable. So learn this technique today and discover your Inner Genius like never before!
There are many benefits to using ‘yes…and’ in both your personal and professional life. For starters, it fosters better communication by encouraging people to share their ideas without feeling shut down or attacked. In addition, it allows you to build upon others’ ideas instead of simply shooting them down; this can lead to more creativity and innovation in the workplace (or at home). And lastly, it helps prevent conflict by diffusing tense situations before they have a chance to escalate.
As a parent of teenagers, one of the most powerful things that you can do is learn to use the power of 'yes...and'. This involves cultivating an attitude of patience, openness, and creativity in your interactions with your teens. By learning to connect with them and truly listen to them, you will be better able to communicate with them and influence their choices in positive ways.
Additionally, by shifting into your Inner Genius and entering the 'Genius Zone', you can tap into your own inner wisdom and come up with unique solutions to the challenges that you face.
In essence, using the power of 'yes...and' as a parent can help unleash the natural talents and Inner Genius that your teenagers possess, allowing you to guide them toward success and fulfillment.
As a business leader, it is essential to build strong connections with your team and foster open communication among your employees. One effective way to achieve this is by using the principle of 'yes...and' in your interactions.
This involves actively listening to what others say, gathering information, and building on their ideas rather than shooting them down or dismissing them outright. By engaging with others in this way, you can learn from their insights and cultivate the conditions needed for creative collaboration.
Additionally, keeping an open mind and being receptive to new ideas will help you to influence others and guide them towards your desired outcomes. In addition to these benefits, staying attuned to your Inner Genius can keep you focused on achieving your goals and allow you to access your 'Genius Zone', where you can be at your best creatively and productively. With these tools at your disposal, as a business leader, you can truly thrive by harnessing the power of yes...and.
Mateo has been a senior sales leader for many years, and over time he has developed a very successful team. However, he finds himself saying 'no' to a lot of their ideas. He realized this was impacting their motivation. So, when ideas are creative but have merit, he has switched to saying 'yes...and'. Since making this easy language switch, the team no longer feels shut down, but instead, they feel their ideas are being built on and as a result, the team started to work in their Genius Zone. They were now unstoppable!
