One Simple Phrase That Turns Conflict into Collaboration

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Ever walk away from a conversation thinking:

“That could have gone better?” or “How could I have responded differently?”

Whether it’s misalignment with a partner, tension with a team member, or a brilliant idea that landed flat—communication breakdowns cost more than we admit.

Poor communication isn’t just annoying—it’s expensive.

It stalls progress, damages trust, and makes even great ideas easy to ignore.

The problem?

Most people double down on trying to be right…

Instead of learning how to keep the conversation moving.

Enter one of the most powerful tools borrowed from improv theater— The art of “Yes, And.”

In improv, “Yes, And” is a rule of survival.

It keeps the scene alive, the story building, and the players connected.

In work and leadership, it does something even more valuable: It transforms tension into possibility.

“Yes, And” isn’t about agreement. It’s about acknowledgment + addition.

You’re not conceding your perspective.

You’re signaling: “I heard you. I’m building on it.”

That’s how you earn the right to influence the direction of the conversation.

I Like Examples, So Consider This:

You’re in a meeting. You float an idea.

A colleague immediately says, “That won’t work.”

Tension rises. The group shuts down. Progress stalls.

Now imagine the same moment—but instead, they respond with:

“Yes, that’s an interesting direction—and maybe we can also...”

The energy shifts.

Now you’re building, not battling.

Why This Matters in High-Stakes Work

Subject matter experts and entrepreneurs are often the ones introducing change, offering critique, or proposing new paths.

Which means:
You’re often the one triggering resistance, intentionally or not.

“Yes, And” creates a psychological shift:

• From opposition → to expansion

• From defense → to curiosity

• From “Me vs. You” → to “What can we build together?”

That's why you need a few sure-fire ways to apply “Yes, And” in everyday situations.

3 Ways I Use “Yes, And” to Transform Conflict into Collaboration

Let’s get it:

1. Start with acknowledgment—not rebuttal.

When someone shares an idea or concern, your instinct might be to counter it.

Instead, start with this:

“Yes, I see where you’re coming from—and there’s something we might layer onto that.”

2. Use “Yes, And” to reframe unhelpful energy.

When conversations spiral into blame, sarcasm, or resistance, redirect with:

“Yes, that frustration is valid—and maybe it’s showing us where the pressure points are.”

3. Build creative solutions in real time.

In moments of ideation or disagreement, “Yes, And” unlocks collaboration:

“Yes, your concern about budget makes sense—and if we phased the rollout, could we still test the core idea?”

POLL

The ability to turn tension into traction is what separates good communicators from trusted influencers.

Start practicing ‘Yes, And’ in the small moments—because how you speak in everyday tension is what earns you a seat at the table when it matters most.

Remember…

We’re wired to want to be seen, heard, and respected.

When people feel acknowledged, they become more open.
More willing to shift.
More likely to engage in problem-solving instead of power plays.

“Yes, And” works not because it’s polite.

It works because it changes the dynamic—from tug-of-war to co-creation.

Until next week, be easy!
Girvin

P.S. If you want a simple way to command attention, stand out in your niche or work, and build a loyal audience around your ideas, hit reply and send me a quick “command attention.”