Monday, March 10, 2008

Get Off Your But!

Ask anyone who does improv about their first class, and chances are, they'll tell you they learned to play "Yes, And..."

"Yes, And..." is a classic exercise that sets up a fundamental condition for improvisers to collaborate together on stage: agreeing to move the agenda or scene forward.

So for example, if I start a scene with, "Did you hear about the tornado coming our way?" the next player might say, "Yeah, and it's supposed to wipe out all of our power for a month!" It takes the premise I set up -- and moves it ahead.

It's the opposite of "Yes, But" which denies the "reality" that one player has established:

"Did you hear about the tornado coming our way?"
"Yeah, but it's not a big deal."

See how that kind of sucks the wind out of everything? (Pun intended, I guess.) Where do we go from there?

Try these on for size:

"I love you, but..."
"You're doing good work, but..."
"I'd like to give you a raise, but..."

Hmmm...warm fuzzies, anyone?

This week at work: Try to count how many "buts" you use that discount, block or deny progress. See where you can use "and" to gain agreement and commitment, and add to someone's idea.

Will it make a difference? Yes, AND... (you can fill that one in for me after you try it!)

Deborah
www.myjewishcoach.com
www.jewishorganizations.blogspot.com
www.myjewishcoach.blogspot.com

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