What “Yes, And…” Taught Me About Listening

I recently had the chance to take a couple of improv classes, and honestly, I didn’t really know what to expect. What I discovered was how much fun it could be, even while being completely outside my comfort zone.

One concept that came up repeatedly was “yes, and…”

In improv, it means accepting what’s in front of you and building on it, rather than resisting it or trying to redirect the scene. What stayed with me even more was a related idea: resisting the urge to plan your response while someone else is still speaking.

That may sound simple, but it’s surprisingly difficult.

So often, especially in professional environments, we’re already thinking ahead: preparing our response, defending a position, or deciding what to say next before the other person has finished speaking. In improv, doing that causes you to miss what is actually happening in the moment.

Instead, we were encouraged to listen fully and then intentionally respond to what was actually there, not what we expected to hear.

I’ve found myself thinking about this mindset beyond the classroom.

Yes, it applies to voiceover work, but honestly, it applies to a lot more than that. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop overthinking, trust your instincts, and respond naturally in the moment. Not every interaction needs to be perfectly planned or controlled. In fact, some of the strongest moments come from letting go a little, staying present, and allowing yourself to react to what’s actually in front of you.

For me, it was a reminder that communication is not just about speaking clearly; it’s also about remaining open enough to truly hear what’s in front of you.

That mindset can be uncomfortable at times. It requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to let go of the “perfect” response. But it also creates space for better collaboration, stronger conversations, and sometimes even better outcomes than we originally planned.

Who knew improv could be so profound?