Easy to do? My own trial and error
I introduced this technique some months ago. To be honest, it was not easy. It is so easy to strike the ‘yes, BUT’-gavel. At het beginning I also found it quite artificial, like I was holding my brain back of being natural. On the other hand I observed nice results, and I still do J. By changing BUT into AND:
Right now, it feels more natural and it is still a challenge. That word creeps into my conversation even when the discussion is trivial, even when I should be hyperaware of my word choices, even when it costs $.
And I allow/forgive myself if my ‘Yes, BUT’- gavel strikes again J.
Exercises
Here are some exercises, as a support.
Monitoring yourself/others
Group sessions
This exercise I found in ‘Training to Imagine’, Kat Koppett (2001).
Overview: Two groups set about the task of planning a company party. The first must start each sentence with the words, “Yes, BUT…” The second must start their sentences with the words, “Yes, AND …” Result: the first group will struggle to achieve anything. The second will create much more easily.
Time: 4-8 minutes
Number of players: Various
Game Flow
Suggested Debrief Questions
Resources