From Heather
Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event that surprised me in the most delightful way. The concept was simple: get some great people in the room, and do something more fun and engaging than a typical sit-down dinner. Enter a crowd-participation Improv night! That idea itself could make you burst into laughter, but it was so much more than a comedy show – it was a moving night that brought connection, growth, and powerful lessons about letting go to let more in. And boy did we laugh. So much that my cheeks hurt.
One of the most amazing lessons from the night was learning about the classic improv concept to say “Yes, and” when working with a partner. Our expert facilitator shared his personal journey from a life of “no” and shutting others out to how an improv class changed his trajectory, changed his life, and opened him up to more possibility. He taught us about what “Yes, and” really means. The basis of “yes, and” suggests that improvisers are obligated to accept the offers of their partners (“Yes”), and subsequently build upon those ideas with offers of their own (“And”) (source: IRC Improv Wiki). What an impactful reminder that when we are open to the offers (contributions, thoughts, ideas, questions) of others there are more opportunities for connection, growth and learning. And subsequently, it’s not enough to be open. You must remember to share your gifts, contribute to others, and take a risk. “Yes, and’s” counterparts “No, because” and “Yes, but” leave no room for creativity, innovation, and connection.
Nerves were noticeably high when the surprise was revealed to the guests upon arrival that they’d be participating in an improv night. But, that evolved as we were taken through various group exercises to help us learn about the art of improv and shake off some of our fears. A couple of the first exercises were designed to get us using our bodies (clapping and pointing) and getting us up and out of our chairs (doing “the wave”). These were simple exercises that had us naturally feeling more comfortable, using our bodies in an approachable way, and letting our guard down a little. Another practical demonstration of how we can be so guarded, and that when we are moving our bodies, and thinking about others, we’re more open to growth and connection and less likely to feel anxious about the unknown or never been done. By the end of the night, almost everyone in the room had volunteered to practice on stage.
Many of the exercises we practiced that evening had us working in groups towards a common goal. Whether we were penning a best-selling novel one.word.at.a.time, or claiming to be an expert on teaching giraffes how to tie shoes (really!), these exercises reminded us that common goals are important, and everyone’s voices contribute to the success of the project. With our “yes, and” mindset, no words or phrases or ideas were bad or wrong, they simply added to the narrative and got us closer to where we were going. The obvious, but unspoken question was, how can we carry this concept into our daily and work lives where goals are more concrete? I think the answer is remembering that we’re all in this together.
What a special gift it was to be in the room for an unforgettable event that had me laughing and smiling all night, getting out of my comfort zone, and witnessing the remarkable power of “yes,and”. To the team at Accor North America, The Fairmont Royal York, and Conference Direct, congratulations on pushing the envelope and an unforgettable experience!
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