But vs. And
But vs. And
by Melissa Dinwiddie.
Overview: Two groups plan a company party. The first time they must start each sentence with the words, "Yes, but..." The second time they must start their sentences with the words, "Yes, and..."
Additional info
Debrief
- What happened?
- How does it feel to have your ideas rejected? Accepted?
- How did this experience compare to real life?
- Why do we block other people's ideas?
- How can we increase our willingness and ability to accept ideas?
Goal
Team building; creativity; communication
Instructions
Flow
Round 1:
- Ask for 3-5 volunteers or divide the room into groups of 3-5 (if it's an in-person group) [or split webinar into breakout rooms of 3-5 after giving them instructions]
- Tell the group that they are in charge of planning the company holiday party.
- Each person must contribute an idea. There is no specific order, but no one may contribute more than one idea in a row.
- Anyone may start, and each successive idea must begin with the words, "Yes, but..."
- Allow the exercise to continue for 2-3 minutes, or until it degenerates beyond repair.
Round 2:
- Ask for 3-5 new volunteers or divide the room into groups of 3-5 (if it's an in-person group) [or split webinar into breakout rooms of 3-5 after giving them instructions]
- Set up the same activity with the following adjustment: This time each new sentence must start with the words, "Yes, and..."
- Allow the activity to continue for 2-3 minutes, or until the group seems satisfied and delighted.
Debrief
- What happened?
- How does it feel to have your ideas rejected? Accepted?
- How did this experience compare to real life?
- Why do we block other people's ideas?
- How can we increase our willingness and ability to accept ideas?
Comments (1)
Erica Marx
I use two other prompts for this one: No .... They say no and give a calm rational reason for the no. This leads to an interesting discussion of the difference between No and Yes, but. Yes, and what I like about that is .... and ... This creates listening to the other person. It's very sweet. It leads to an interesting discussion of the difference between this version and the previous "Yes, and" I got this variation from Ted's blog https://animalearning.com/2015/12/09/return-of-spontaneity-school-a-third-set-of-improv-games-for-the-classroom-and-work-environment/#YesAnd