Yes And Incubator

1. Set the Frame
   Invite the group to stand in a circle. Let them know they’ll be building on a single idea, one sentence at a time, using the phrase “Yes, and…” The goal is not to reach consensus or evaluate the idea. The goal is to build out an idea and see where it goes when we suspend judgment and lean into possibility.
   
   You can say: “This is about playing with what’s possible. You’re not committing to the idea, just helping it grow for a minute. It’s like we’re putting it in an incubator to see what it could become.”
   
   
2. Start with a Seed Idea
   Someone offers an idea to “toss into the middle.” This might be silly (“Let’s turn the office into a giant pillow fort”) or real (“Let’s design a summer internship program for teens”). Either works. What matters is that the idea gets handed off to the group process. 
   
   
3. Go Around the Circle: “Yes, and…”
   Each person starts their sentence with “Yes, and…” and adds something that builds on the previous idea. Keep it to one sentence per person. For example:
   • “Yes, and we’ll decorate the fort with string lights and snacks.”
   • “Yes, and we’ll host story nights and music jams.”
   • “Yes, and we’ll invite people from other departments to stop by and contribute.”
   Keep going until everyone has spoken OR until the facilitator ends the round (e.g. after 2 or 3 min).
   
   
4. End the Round and Reflect (Optional)
   Once the idea has gone full circle, take a pause. You can move right into a new idea, or take a moment to reflect on what shifted—both in the idea and in the group’s energy.

Facilitation Notes

Everyone only speaks once. The structure helps equalize airtime and lets people contribute without needing to explain or justify their thinking. That makes it easier to speak up, especially for folks who might hesitate in less structured settings. This is a relatively low-stakes way to practice showing up, being heard, and being part of something shared. 

• Use it Early in a Process
  This is especially helpful during divergent thinking, when you want to explore ideas before narrowing them down. It’s also a way to break patterns of over analysis or competition in groups where ideas get picked apart too quickly
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• Clarify What “Yes” Means
  In applied contexts, “Yes” doesn’t mean you agree with every detail. It means you’re honoring the intention or spirit of the idea. You’re looking for what’s strong or compelling in it—and building from that.

• Warm up with “Yes, And Picnic”
  “Yes, And Picnic” is a great activity before this. It helps participants explore the difference between “Yes, but…,” “Yes, and…,” and more subtle versions like “What I like about that is…” so they’re more conscious of how they build.

Variations

• Anonymous Idea Toss
  Each person writes an idea on a slip of paper and folds it. Mix them up, draw one, and incubate it. This removes identity from the idea and helps shift power dynamics; ideas get treated equally regardless of who offered them.
  
  
• Bad Ideas Incubator
  Ask people to write down bad ideas too. By incubating these you’ll often surface unexpected insights. This version helps release perfectionism and encourages risk-taking. Incubating 'bad' ideas can help the group face fears of what they are avoiding facing in a playful and encouraging way.
  
  
• Multiple Circles
  In larger groups, split into circles of 5–7 people. Each group can incubate different ideas OR they could all incubate the same ideas. Then re-gather and share what stood out.
  
  

Debrief Prompts 

• What did you notice about how the idea evolved?
• What shifted in your own thinking as you listened and built?
• What made it easier or harder to say “Yes, and”?
• Where else could you use this kind of listening and building?