CLICK BELOW TO REDISCOVER HUMANITY
A DECADE+ OF STORYTELLING POWERED BY THE BEST WRITERS ON THE PLANET

Innovate with the “Yes… And…” Game

If you are interested in personal growth, self-improvement, and mental fitness, you might have heard about the Positive Intelligence program by Shirzad Chamine already. You might have even taken the program, just like I have.

But if you are not familiar with it, here’s a little introduction. This concept focuses on strengthening the Sage muscles of your brain through mental fitness exercises called PQ. Additionally introduces multiple ways to taking control of the Judge we all have in our minds.

It is an exciting journey. And there are quite a few practices that help guide you to move from the Saboteurs toward the Sage mindset, my favourite being the “Yes… And …” game.

And because innovation requires patience, acceptance, and a positive attitude, I find this method useful for organizations that understand the importance of promoting creativity. When you want to be in the innovation mode and lead your team to create and innovate, a great way of doing that is playing the “Yes… And …” game.

How does the game work?

Imagine you are sitting around a table with your team and having an innovation session. And you will play the “Yes… And …” game. Here’s how it goes;

  • each team member generates as many ideas as possible without concentrating on the quality or feasibility of the ideas
  • only after being done generating, the team starts to evaluate each idea individually
  • the evaluation process does not begin until the generation step is fully complete as initiating it kills the creativity when practiced earlier than it should.
  • the primary goal of the game is to consider each idea as being at least 10% right
  • and to not focus on the 90% that might be wrong, but focusing on the 10% that’s right
  • then building upon the acceptable part of the idea by adding on it until it gets to a 100%

Team members take the best part of an idea and start speaking on it by saying, “What I like about that idea is…” and mention the 10% that they liked about it. Say, “And… ” then add to it another idea that triggered by that previous idea.

What are the benefits?

Successfully conducting this process requires deep listening to each other, rather than trying to come up with the most brilliant idea, which stops the collaboration, and brings in the judgment and competition.

When you know that even if you come up with a non-practical idea, your contribution will still be appreciated. And at least some part of your input will help the team move ahead toward another great idea. You become more creative, fearless, bold and confident.

You don’t keep to yourself any idea thinking you might look or sound illogical. Instead, you feel empowered and liberated as a team member, knowing that anything you come up with might turn into a brilliant idea with the add-ons from other team members.

Remember, in every conflict, both parties are at least 10% right.

So, why not being curious about finding the right part of other people’s creations not only at work but everywhere in life?

Ipek Williamson
Ipek Williamsonhttps://ipekwilliamsoncoaching.com/
The knowledge and wisdom, that I’ve accumulated, transformed me into; an Insight Coach, a Blogger, and an Active “Listener” with an ear for anyone who needs to be heard, passion to help, anyone, and any relationship that needs healing and improvement. Especially the relationship with ones’ self. The person that I am today is also the product of my 20 years of experience as an Executive Assistant for the top managers of several companies. I am the culmination of life experiences as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and colleague. I am also an avid reader and a lifelong learner. Life takes us to places that we don’t expect to end up, but always with a purpose. Last few years, I have made my goal to make my life better, to become happier and healthier. That goal triggered a desire to learn and share anything and everything that helps to make others happy too. Life is beautiful, and we all deserve to live it to the fullest, that’s why I’m here, to touch the lives of as many people as possible, one beautiful soul at a time, and help them to become the best version of themselves

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


2 CONVERSATIONS

  1. My cherished friend Ipek, your beautiful wisdom somehow reminded me of some brilliant thoughts by Brené Brown when it comes to collaborators’ disruptive engagement problem!

    “If leaders expect real learning, critical thinking, and change, then discomfort should be normalized We believe growth and learning are uncomfortable so it’s going to happen here you’re going to feel that way We want you to know that it’s normal and it’s an expectation here. You’re not alone and we ask that you stay open and lean into it.”

    Sharing 10% accurate ideas would trigger some discomfort, in all likelihood, no matter how encouraged we can be. Being empowered would drastically increase courage instead of decreasing discomfort, I suppose!

    • Dearest Myriam, thank you very much for your valuable comment and contribution to the discussion. When we come up with any idea, we, ourselves, believe that it is mostly accurate if not 100%. The other people’s perspective could see it at 10% but even then, starting with what is at hand rather than looking at the empty part of the glass empowers and encourages more creative ideas and helps team members to vocalize their thoughts more freely. Nevertheless, a great starting point for good teamwork.

TAKE STROLL INSIDE 360° NATION

TIME FOR A "JUST BE." MOMENT?

ENJOY OUR FREE EVENTS

BECAUSE WE'RE BETTER TOGETHER