Cheat sheet · Yes, and
Accept what they offered and add to it. Don’t correct, don’t one-up.
Glossary
Yes, and
Accept what the other person said and add to it, instead of correcting them or topping their story.
From the lesson
Where it is taught
- Day 2 · Small Talk That Goes Somewhere: How to make small talk at networking events and work drinks
In practice
Examples from the course that use it.
The brainstorm
“We could launch it at the trade show.” Not “The timing’s wrong”. Instead: “Yes, and if we do, we could get the three biggest buyers in the room first.” Ideas survive long enough to be judged.
The pub after work
“That reorg is a mess.” “Yes, and the bit nobody’s talking about is who owns the budget now.” Even if you half-disagree, you have joined the conversation instead of correcting it.
The client’s complaint
“Your support line is slow.” “Yes, and Tuesdays are the worst. Which day did you call?” You accepted the feeling, got the fact, and kept the relationship.
Related terms
- Clean exitLeaving a conversation without an excuse or apology: say what you enjoyed, then what you’re doing next.
- AREAnchor, Reveal, Encourage: comment on something you both share right now, add something about you, then ask them a question.
- SparkA question that gets a better answer than “What do you do?”, like “Working on anything you’re excited about?”
- Follow-up questionA question about what the person just told you. It proves you listened and keeps them talking.