Improvisational theatre, or improv, is a form of performance—often comedy—where everything happens at the moment.1 No scripts, no second takes—just performers creating spontaneously, one idea at a time.

Growing up, one of my favorite weekly shows was Whose Line Is It Anyway?—an American improvisational comedy adapted from the British original.2 I admired how quick and witty the performers were and how they could turn the most absurd prompts into comedy gold. Their ability to think on their feet fascinated me.

Years later, in 2018, I attended an improv show in my hometown that featured local comedians. Watching the performers riff off each other, I had two thoughts: This is hilarious, and I could totally do this.

At that time, I had over a decade of experience in politics—a field that constantly demands quick thinking. I had spent years on political campaigns, knocking on doors, engaging strangers in unscripted conversations, and making a case for my candidate on the fly. In many ways, I felt like I had already been doing improv—just in a different arena.

So when I received improv classes as a gift, I was ready to put my skills to the test. I walked in expecting to sharpen my comedic instincts. Instead, I walked out with something far more valuable—a mindset shift.

The power of yes, and

The first rule of improv—the one that changes everything—is simple: yes, and.

It means accepting whatever your scene partner throws at you and building on it. You don’t shut things down; you keep the momentum going. It prevents scenes from stalling, sparks creativity, and allows performers to create something greater together.

For example, if your scene partner says, “Hello, I’m soccer legend Diego Maradona,” you don’t respond with, “That’s stupid. Diego Maradona is dead.” That kills the scene, along with the mood. Instead, you roll with it and might say, “Oh my god! Diego Maradona! I’ve always wanted to ask—do you think cocaine enhanced or muted your greatness?”

Yes, and isn’t about liking what’s thrown your way—it’s about committing to it and making it work. Even if your partner gives you something you don’t find funny, you commit and find a way to elevate it. You build. You create. You do your part to make your partner shine with you.

When you embrace yes, and you sharpen three key skills:

  1. Active listening – you have to fully hear what’s being said and process it before responding.

  2. Creativity and adaptability – you learn to think quickly and go with the flow.

  3. Empathy and connection – you train yourself to support your partner and make them look good.

It’s easy to yes, and when you love what’s developing in front of you. It’s harder when you don’t. But that’s where the real magic happens – when you commit to the moment, even when you’re unsure.

Making space for no, but

Of course, life shouldn’t be a never-ending series of yes, and. Sometimes, no, but is necessary.

Blindly agreeing to everything isn’t wisdom – it’s borderline recklessness. You shouldn’t accept every bad idea, every reckless decision, or every unreasonable demand. No, But is how we set boundaries, challenge flawed thinking, and stand our ground.

The trick is knowing when to yes, and and when to push back. Improv sharpened my instincts for when to go with the flow and when to say, “Hold on, that doesn’t work.”

Yes, and in my everyday life

I didn’t leave improv behind when my classes ended. Without realizing it at first, I had absorbed the yes, and into my way of thinking.

It’s made me more open-minded. Instead of resisting unexpected situations, I have learned to pivot and embrace them – helping me handle uncertainty.

It’s also reshaped how I communicate. Instead of rushing to respond, Iisten more intentionally. “Yeah, but…” has disappeared from my lexicon. Now, I build on what others say, making discussions more engaging and collaborative. This has come in handy everywhere – from playing pretend with my kiddos to navigating difficult conversations with friends and family.

When life gave me a terrible yes, and

Little did I know, I’d soon be facing a real-life yes, and test.

Just a few months after my improv classes ended, I was laid off. Completely unexpected, completely unscripted – like the worst possible improv prompt.

At that moment, I could have spiraled. In the past, I probably would have. Losing a job isn’t just about a paycheck – it’s about identity, stability, and self-worth.

But my improv classes had ended just months before, and the lessons were still fresh in my mind.

Improv had given me a tool to navigate it. Instead of panicking or resisting reality, I leaned into yes, and.

I accepted what had happened (yes), and I focused on what I could do next (and).

That mindset shift didn’t make the layoff easy, but it helped me move forward without getting stuck in frustration or regret.

Life is one long improv scene

Looking back, I realize those improv classes weren’t just about comedy. They were about how to exist in an unpredictable world.

Because the truth is, life is one long improv scene. No one is given a script – we’re all just making it up as we go, some with more confidence than others.

You can stubbornly resist what life throws at you. You can be like an ostrich, burying your head in the sand until you feel safe to come out again.

Or, you can yes, and your way through it—rolling with the unexpected, adapting, creating, and maybe even finding magic in the process.

Notes

1 Improvisational theatre, often called improvisation or improv, is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned or unscripted, created spontaneously by the performers.
2 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (sometimes shortened to Whose Line? or WLIIA) is an American improvisational comedy television series, and is an adaptation of the British series of the same name.