Yes and...

The first rule of improvisational comedy is that you respond to something that is said with a :Yes, and..." statement.  That means that you accept what your partner has said and then build upon it.

It seems that this is a good rule of thumb in any sort of group conversation or brainstorming.  It is always easier to to say no to an idea.  It is not as difficult to accept the idea but then point out the problems with it.  This is known as a "Yes, but..." statement.

With a "Yes, and..." statement you are collaborating.  You are acknowledging the good idea of your partner and adding your ideas to it.

A couple of summers ago I took an improvisational comedy class.  In addition to simply being a lot of fun, I found myself thinking frequently that there were a lot of lessons that could be of value to anyone in business. A few of those lessons are:

1. Always use "Yes and..."  It keeps the conversation going.
2. Be aware of the others on the stage with you.  You can be much more effective as a team than as an individual.
3. Take risks.  What's the worst that can happen?  Someone will laugh at you.  Or they won't.
4. Participate!  Jump into things and be a part of them.  
5. Give yourself permission to have fun, to play.  As adults we sometimes view play with suspicion.  As improv actors, play is everything.
6. Not every line needs to be funny.  If everything you do is in cooperation with others, you will get to the payoff in the end.
7. Thinking fast on your feet is sometimes better than being prepared.  Thinking fast on your feet AND being prepared is better yet.
8. Sometimes  Often Usually, you don't know what the ending looks like when you start a scene.
9. Know when to end things.  It is often more important to end well than it is to start well.  That is true in projects, work, business and life as it is in improv.
10. Have fun!  If you are having fun, most likely so is everyone else.

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