IMPROV Your Leadership: Rule #1

Saturday Night Live, Mad TV, late night television - we've all seen the funny stuff.  Oh how we love the funny stuff.  But did you know there are actually rules involved with creating the funny? 

After years of learning improvisational-comedy from institutions like ComedySportz & The Second City Training Center in Chicago, I have witnessed how the rules of improv - rules time-tested by the likes of Bill Murray, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, etc. (Fey was one of my teachers in Chicago) - can be applied to leadership. 

The same rules that empower comedians' minds to make our sides hurt in gushing laughter can also enhance and deepen our ability to lead people in their journeys with Christ.  This week we'll look at the rules of improv and their implications in ministry.

1st Rule of Improv: Yes And.

Today's post by Dave Ferguson jogged my memory on this first, important rule in creating comedy.  Evidently, the first  improvisers back in the 1950's (known as The Compass Players) learned early on that saying "No" to other's ideas stops creativity and leadership.  No pushes people away.  Yes accepts ideas as a gift. When we say "Yes," we say, "I've got your back, thank you for the gift, let's move forward into the unknown together." Saying Yes is empowering to the people we lead.

Saying "Yes And" takes things to the next level.  When someone suggests an idea or new direction, answering with a quick "Yes And" not only empowers, but creates partnership.  In the improv-world, Yes And is another way of saying, "Heighten someone's idea," or super-size their gift. 

Here's an example of an improv scene:

Person 1:  "Dude, that tree is on fire!"
Person 2:  "YES, AND I have water super-powers!"

"Yes And" moves the scene forward; "No But" stops the scene and progress.
"Yes And" creates possibility; "No But" ends the future.
"Yes And" empowers your partner; "No But" makes them feel dumb & unused.
"Yes And" accepts other's input as gifts; "No But" pushes away future ideas.
"Yes And" makes you a cool youth pastor with teens; "No But" puts you at the bottom of the A-1 party list.

Comments

[Emily]

Huh. Way cool...thanks for sharing. Did you ever notice "empowers" is my name. You used that word a lot in your post and it stuck out to me.

[Erik]

Great post. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.

[Kierke]

Very insightful and useful. I can't wait to use the super powers line at my next staff meeting. Pastor says, "we need to reach more youth in our community." I respond, "YES, AND I have parking super powers!" instead of "But lane changing is my kryptonite. Every time I change lanes it slows that lane down until, eventually, I am going backwards."

[Dan]

Wow! great post and idea for leadership. I think about Jesus feeding the 5k or any servant area. I imagined someone coming towards you needy and responding by say "yes and how can I help you?" Thanks for this insight.

[Kevin]

Very cool stuff. I'd love to hear how the improv background helped in your ministry.

[Angie]

Cool Jon! It really is true stuff...I had some Improv training in school and your right when you "just go with it with a Yes" it makes the situation go much further...a No pretty much ends the topic...what a great lesson for people like me who can't keep their mouth shut on things(I always give my opinion even when not asked-I know, a very bad quality)but if only I would start saying "yes" more at least in my head at first then I can actually let the other person have a chance to dream & move forward...very interesting....maybe I should go back to theater school and get more insights.....in fact as I was posting this an OCEA flyer caught my eye...maybe there are some courses I need to take...hmmm...sign from God?