To Improve Communication Use This Powerful Improv Game

Communication is so important in so many different environments. Yet, it’s amazing how many people fail to communicate effectively and disempower their colleagues.

During a recent engagement with a Sales team, we played a comedy improv game to highlight the effect our language can have on relationships, trust, and contribution.

The game involves planning an imaginary birthday party. In pairs, one person enthusiastically wants to do an activity, the other person responds as instructed. This continues for a minute or so. You’ll quickly get the idea!

1) In the first part of the game, the responder has to start their answer with “Yes but…”

Person 1: “We could have balloons.”

Person 2: “Yes but… I’m not blowing them all up. “

See the effect? Person 1 is immediately shut down with a negative response. How might you feel in that situation? Disempowered and reluctant to speak up again in future maybe.

2) In the second part of the game, the responder has to start their answer with “Yes and…”

Person 1: “We could have balloons.”

Person 2: “Yes and… we could get a machine to blow them all up.“

What is the effect this time? Person 2 recognises the suggestion and builds on it. How would you feel in this second scenario when your idea’s been built on? You’d probably feel listened to, more valued, and more likely to contribute in future.

Building on what you’re given is vital to great improv comedy.

So too in other performance contexts.

Accept everything, then build.

Yes, and…