Say “Yes” to Possibilities

The “Yes, and…” concept comes from improvisational theater, but it has powerful applications for leaders. In Improv, each actor is expected to take the cue from other actors as true and build on it rather than shutting it down or trying to control the situation. The goal is to keep the action and dialogue going. Leadership works much the same way: responding with openness rather than resistance, building on ideas, and guiding your team forward even in uncertainty.

Why Leaders Hold Themselves Back

Think about it, primitive people sought shelter from the elements and predators, possibly in a cave. You have one primitive person who will risk leaving the cave to get food from animals, plants, nuts, berries, etc. You have another primitive person who is also in the cave but won’t risk leaving the cave to get food and other needs met because this cave dweller wants to avoid the risk of being eaten by a predator.

Although the world has changed, few of us live in caves. To the brain, the concept of risk is perceived the same, and we often find ourselves overthinking risks and holding ourselves back in indecision. As a leader, this hesitation can slow innovation, decision-making, and team growth. Coaching can help you identify these patterns and take purposeful action.

Fear vs. Success in Leadership

“For some people, their fear to lose is greater than their desire to succeed, so they end up doing nothing, and their dreams become impossible.” – Rodolfo Costa

This quote by Rodolfo Costa highlights the fact that for some individuals, their fear of losing or failing is greater than their desire to succeed. This fear can prevent them from taking action toward their goals and, ultimately, make their dreams impossible to achieve.

Fear can stop even the most capable leaders from taking action. By applying the “Yes, and…” technique, leaders can acknowledge fear without letting it block progress, turning obstacles into opportunities.

By using the “Yes, and…” technique and remaining curious, I have seen clients overcome their fear and take the necessary steps toward success repeatedly. 

How the “Yes, and…” Technique Works

The technique is simple but powerful: join your goal and your fear using “and” instead of “but.”

This allows you to:

• Accept fear as a natural part of leadership.
• Move forward with clarity and confidence.
• Reframe challenges as temporary obstacles, not roadblocks.

Ultimately, this technique helps leaders change their perspective, see their problems as temporary obstacles, and move beyond their primitive brain’s safety switch. I use this powerful reframing technique to help clients shift their perception of fear from a roadblock to something they can accept and move beyond.

A Simple Reframe You Can Try

Try this exercise yourself or with your team:

1. State your leadership goal.
2. State your biggest fear or concern.
3. Join both statements first with “but”, then with “and.”

For example:

“I want to start applying for more senior roles, but I’m afraid of rejection.”
becomes
“I want to start applying for more senior roles, and I’m afraid of rejection.” 

Notice how “and” opens possibilities and empowers action rather than freezing you in fear.

Expanding Your Leadership Possibilities

In a world where uncertainty and change are the only constants, the ability to adapt and respond quickly is more important than ever. We are all figuring it out as we go along, whether navigating a new career path, starting a business, or simply trying to make sense of the world around us.

The “Yes, and…” concept can help us approach these challenges with a sense of openness and curiosity rather than fear and resistance. By saying “Yes, and…” to the world around us, we can expand our possibilities, build stronger relationships, and achieve greater success in all areas of our lives.

Ready to Take the Next Leap?

Leadership is messy, unpredictable, and full of opportunities, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. I coach both leaders and entrepreneurs to turn uncertainty into action, embrace fear as a guide, and take bold, aligned steps forward.

👉 Schedule a free discovery call with me today, and let’s explore how you can use “Yes, and…” to elevate your leadership and impact.