No-Instead

A variation of Yes-And

Goal

The best way to communicate the value of Yes-Anding our colleagues is to play the anti-game. Let’s see how negation feels.

Level of Difficulty

Beginner

Participants

2+

Instructions

Using the same rules as Yes-And, use the phrase “No Instead” at the top of each suggestion. Spend 3 minutes crafting a different holiday party. Statements could include:

• We should have a holiday party that’s beach themed
• No, instead let’s have the party at a bowling alley
• No, instead let’s just go to the movies

It’s easy to see how No-Instead gets stuck in the early phases of the party planning. For some continued discussion, see the questions below.

Practical Application

When should Yes-And be used in a brainstorming session and when might No-Instead be more appropriate? What is the application in brainstorming sessions, prioritization sessions, critiques, and elsewhere?

See More General Warmup Games

• Yes-And
  • No-Instead
  • Yes-If
• Word-At-A-Time (Single Word Sentence)
  • Sentence Waterfall
• Crazy Eights
• Everybody Let’s
• Red Ball, Thank You
• Knife, Baby, Angry Cat
• World’s Worst Disco
• Mind Meld
• What’s in the Box
• Rock-Paper-Scissors Thunderdome
• Zip Zap Zop (Zip Zap Zop New Rule)