'Yes, and…' is a small shift with a big impact that creates space for ideas, strengthens relationships, and turns challenges into collaboration." “
Same situation. Different outcome. One stops the conversation, and the other moves it forward. Collective progress is the shift we are looking for, and that’s the Power of Us in action. “Yes, and…” is from one of four key ingredients for successful improvisation. 1. Acceptance. This is where a shift happens. A student says, “I don’t like broccoli.” Instead of “You have to take it.” Try, “We have some other fruits and vegetables. Would you like to try carrot sticks or dried cranberries?” You accept the reality that they don’t like broccoli. This is your “yes”. Then you help that reality move forward by offering two other options. This is your “and”. Acceptance helps us work together to find the best way to move forward. 2. Listening. Remember, in improv, there is no script, so the performers must use active listening to respond appropriately and keep the scene moving forward. They do this by listening for what are called “offers”. In improv, an “offer” is anything someone says or does to move the action forward or give some sense as to where things are headed. In your kitchen or cafeteria, offers are everywhere: ideas, concerns, observations, compliments, or frustrations. If a manager says, “Our oven keeps breaking down, and it’s slowing down service,” the offer isn’t just about the oven. It’s also about delays, stress, and a negative customer experience. Active listening is giving someone your full attention so that you hear and understand what they are saying. When people feel heard, they are more likely to stay engaged and solution-focused.
3. Supporting. Another big pillar of improvisation is to “make each other look good”. What could that look like in your program? Let’s say a team member suggests a new soup recipe. Instead of shutting it down, a supportive response might be, “That’s a great idea! I’ll bring up your idea in the next Manager meeting. Let’s look at the recipe together to see if we can make it work.” You aren’t making any promises but you are supporting the team members’ idea by exploring it and giving them credit. Support builds confidence and can create a culture where people feel valued. 4.Facing Fears. We face our fears mistakes. Improv is filled with uncertainty, so mistakes are inevitable. But in improv, we say, “There are no mistakes. Only discoveries.” We look at mistakes when we take risks, accept uncertainty, and embrace as gifts and an opportunity to say to ourselves, “OK. This happened. What can I learn from it? What road am I on now? How can I pivot?” The same can apply to school nutrition teams. Trying a new recipe, hosting a student taste test, and changing a process all involve risk because they take time and money with no guarantee of success. But it also creates opportunities for innovation and growth. When teams feel safe to try, learn, and try again, they become more resilient and willing to accept that uncertainty.
School nutrition professionals do incredible work every day, often at a rapid pace with limited resources. The Power of Us is not just about working next to each other; it’s about working with each other. It’s about how we communicate, support each other, and work towards our common goals. “Yes, and…” is a small shift with a big impact that creates space for ideas, strengthens relationships, and turns challenges into collaboration. How can you start using “Yes, and…” today? • Replace “No, but…” with “Yes, and…” in one conversation. • Practice active listening in your next meeting. • Take a new idea, build on it, and find a way to make each other look good. • Reframe one mistake as a learning opportunity. If your team is ready to move from “No, but…” to “Yes, and…”, experiencing the concept in action can make all the difference. Interactive workshops and keynotes rooted in improvisation can give teams the chance to practice these skills together and build stronger communication, trust, and collaboration. Strong programs are built by strong teams, and strong teams start with “Yes, and…” So, what’s your “Yes, and…”?
Janel Wojcik, SNS | Owner, Eating Well With Janel Janel Wojcik, SNS (she/her), is a Public Speaker, School Nutrition Specialist, and Proud Granddaughter of a Lunch Lady. Based in Los Angeles, she brings 15 years of experience across the technology, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, where she led cross-cultural teams worldwide before transitioning into school nutrition. With 20 years of improvisation experience, Janel’s speaking blends humor with practical strategies to help teams strengthen communication, build trust, and improve efficiency. Her work extends into the community, where she partners with foster youth organizations to teach cooking classes and inspire confidence in the kitchen.
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