“Yes, And”: What Improv Can Teach Us About Nonprofit Culture

Improvisational comedy has a golden rule: “Yes, and.”

When someone offers an idea, you accept it and build on it. Imagine two people on stage. One says, “There’s an elephant in our kitchen.”

The other could say, “That’s ridiculous!” And the scene dies.

Or they could say, “Yes, and he’s eaten all the leftovers.”

Suddenly, there’s possibility.

I think “yes, and” could also be a powerful principle of non profit culture.

One of the privileges of my work is getting a front-row seat to dozens of nonprofit organizations. I see how teams collaborate, how leaders lead, and how decisions get made. And I’ve seen firsthand how culture shapes morale, enthusiasm, creativity, and ultimately, performance.

Working with one organization in particular is what got me thinking about the connection between nonprofit culture and the art of ‘yes, and.’

People on this team are comfortable sharing ideas (no matter where their position sits on the org chart), building on one another’s thinking, asking questions, challenging assumptions, and taking conversations in unexpected directions. There’s curiosity, compassion, and sometimes laughter.

It’s so pleasant to experience. And it produces great work.

But here’s what makes this team particularly effective: They also know when to stop improvising.

There’s a clear decision-maker who welcomes ideas, encourages discussion, and then makes the call. Not every suggestion makes the cut, but everyone has had a hand in shaping the thinking.

That’s the sweet spot: A culture that encourages collaboration without sacrificing clarity or accountability.

And it doesn’t happen by accident.

Leaders set the tone. When they model curiosity instead of control, invite different perspectives, and make it safe to contribute, others follow suit.

The best leaders don’t need to have all the best ideas. They create the conditions for the best ideas to emerge.

Just like improv, the magic happens when people build something together that none of them could have imagined alone.

And then someone brings the scene to a close.