Improv Techniques Boost Persuasion—Why 'Yes, And', Radical Listening, and Making Others Look Good Works Everywhere

At a mid-sized tech company, the weekly product meeting often ranged from congested to combative. One week, the lead product manager tried something new. Whenever an engineer raised a concern—'I don't think this integration will work,' or 'Customers might be confused by this feature'—he didn't refute or dismiss it. Instead, he calmly repeated their words, sometimes asking, 'Tell me more about that.' Disarmed, colleagues explained details they rarely revealed before.

The manager then tried using 'Yes, and…' instead of 'Yes, but…' 'Yes, and if that's a risk, maybe we can pilot with just a few users,' he’d add. Over time, team members felt safer, meetings grew more creative, and abrupt blockages (where two people would hit 'but' after 'but') were replaced by momentum. In disagreements, the group paused more often, letting awkward silences linger to make sure everyone had a chance. Unexpectedly, one competitor from a partner team remarked, 'I noticed your meetings always sound smoother than ours—what's your trick?'

The core of these changes is simple: borrowing from improv theater, where every line is an 'offer,' and the job is to listen, build, and make others look good. It drives dialogue up and defensiveness down, whether you’re onboarding a new staffer or resolving a family dispute. Research confirms: listening, building, and elevating others increase trust, learning, and legitimate solutions.

In your next heated chat or group meeting, when someone raises a concern, try reflecting it back to them and invite them to add more detail—don’t just counter or dismiss immediately. Use 'Yes, and…' at least once, deliberately building on their point, even if you disagree on the outcome. Take one intentional breath before you reply—getting comfortable with a beat of silence. Watch how the dynamic shifts, how people become less entrenched and more open, and how group decisions become more creative and collaborative. Try it today, even in a small way.