What do improv comedy and business have in common? Producer, actor and musician Wayne Brady (longtime star of Whose Line Is It?) has an answer, and it’s “Yes, and…” to start.
In the world of improvisation, “yes, and…” is the rule of thumb that guides action. When your partner initiates a scene, listen and extend it. Before you know it, you’re having conversations, exchanging ideas, and building communities. These are all skills small business owners use on a daily basis.
A true multi-hyphen, Wayne has said “yes, and…” throughout his career. He put improvisational comedy on the map, hosted the game show Let’s Make a Deal, and opened the door for the next generation of black comedians and creatives. Wayne, now 50, is entering the next phase of his entrepreneurial career, focusing on his personal brand and production company.
In a keynote at Yelp’s Black in Business Summit, Wayne shares lessons learned from his Emmy-winning career. This includes steps for setting boundaries, marketing yourself, and saying “yes, and…” in life and business.
1. Create a business plan that allows for experimentation
I was 19 when I stumbled upon Improvisation. That’s the great thing about starting show business or any other business. Ignorance can work to your advantage. I just said “yes” without even knowing what “yes and…” was.
So [my mentors] It taught me the structure of improvisation and the rules for doing it on stage and on film, just like in business. You can have a very flowing business. But improvisation on stage, like life, is meant to be done within a set of parameters and certain boundaries. These boundaries give us room to play. It’s like your business plan.
Still, improvisation has always been a skill that kept me sharp. [It was] Like small business owners: ‘I want to do this as my business because it’s popular’ or ‘What am I passionate about because I think it’s an easy way to make money? What am I good at? I’m going to take these things and make it my business.” I didn’t realize I had been training myself for years. As James Brown said, “If you’re ready, you don’t have to be prepared.” I think that applies to business as well.
2. Say “yes, and…” to fellow creators
The “yes, and…” principle is lifelong. For example, let’s say you’re in a leadership position at work, whether you’re a CEO or a manager, and someone comes up with a proposal.As soon as you say no, it’s a hardline way to cut off flow and creativity, and even in your work [setting], can create a hostile work environment. You may be sitting with your next great idea, but why should I tell you if you shut me down every time I come over?
Similarly, in relationships, “yes, and…” is a two-way street. We need to listen to each other. If you say something, I will reply. Before you know it, we’re exchanging ideas.In a business sense, this is one of the most valuable tools you have.
I also use it for empathy. If you’re practicing “yes, and…”, listen to what someone has to say. Don’t just talk. It forces you to exist. It forces mindfulness. And these are the things we need for our work. Especially if you are a small business owner.
3. Own yourself as a person — the rest is just noise
A tough skin is necessary both as a manager and in the entertainment world. You’re basically asking the world, “Like me, like what I do.” And you add a layer of being black… I was always the only person in the room who looked like me. will be faced with But at the end of the day, you’re still who you are, with dark skin and a black journey. How do you satisfy yourself and those who look like you? It messes up your head.
The only way I’ve been at peace with it is to go back [doing] Something that feels good.It doesn’t hurt that I do those things When I happen to say I’m a proud black man who can play Shakespeare, turn around and improvise, tell fart jokes, turn around and do Broadway musicals, turn around and host game shows. increase. All of that under his one roof.
I believe in my product – myself. That’s what you have to do to navigate any business space. You have to own who you are as a person. And if you own it, you won’t be listening to all the noise so you can make sound business decisions.
[As a business owner, I believe] A true statement of my artistry, marrying it to my blackness and no apologies. I believe in my product – myself. That’s what you have to do to navigate any business space. You have to own who you are as a person. And if you own it, you won’t be listening to all the noise so you can make sound business decisions.
4. Remember what you’re working for
Work life balance should be established. I am a cautionary tale. Between the ages of 26 and 36, my mind was completely in the construction stage. I have to do this job Because that’s how I can build the foundation of my family. So what are you working for if you don’t take care of your home life while you’re building? Luckily, my ex-wife is my best friend in the world and we have a production company together, but I wasn’t taking care of the fire at home so we couldn’t keep the marriage going.
We are taught that if you work hard and do everything right, you can have the American Dream. we all chase it. Go after it — but you have to take care of yourself. It will end up. You will lose what you are working for. And all in all, in my humble opinion, it’s not worth it. Establish a work-life balance. Find a safety valve. Find a hobby that doesn’t give you a heart attack without working 7 days a week.
5. Choose when and how to hold boundaries
I was always first [the room] It had to be the black representative of the time. In many of these spaces, we are exhausted. You don’t have to carry a person’s weight on your shoulders. Is there a better way to navigate it? boundary. You may be in a position to feel that if you speak up at this board meeting, you may lose your job. You have to decide where and how strong you keep your limits and how important it is to you.
Some time ago, I decided to keep my boundaries stronger than ever in my life. I choose not to allow you to step into my personal space and say anything about me. does. If you can’t, that’s another story. That’s the story of being black in America.
6. Study your humanity, not just your craft
I hate networking. I’m going to say it I have a LinkedIn profile. I have attended him twice there.I used social anxiety and being introverted as reasons [not going to parties in] Over 30 years in show business. It’s my disadvantage.when you see your favorite actor [on screen], most of the trade takes place on the golf course. They are done at parties. They take place in a social environment. They are held in places where people feel good about each other.
Part of being a great business person isn’t just being good at your craft. I specialize in the study of human nature.
and [business] You can’t expect people to want to work with you just because you like what you do. Part of being a good business person isn’t just being good at your craft, it’s also being good at studying human nature. You have to build a network so they know who you are. Anyone can see your business card or the exterior of your building, but at the end of the day, they’re in business with you, so they need to get to know you. you.
7. The best leaders empower their teams
The best thing you can do as a leader is empower your team. Because when you try to do it all yourself, you’re not just asking for a business breakdown. You’re setting up a room where no one wants to bring you ideas. A good leader says: we are you doing? Empower the people you work with to make good decisions and bring those decisions back to you.
I was taught in improv school that if you look good and you’re successful, the reflected sunlight makes me look good too.
When you are a tyrant at work and you are not empowering the people below you, you are robbing them of their confidence. I was taught that the reflected sunlight makes me look better too.
For more insight from Wayne, watch the keynote session from Yelp’s 2nd Annual Black in Business Summit. Now available on demand along with all other sessions for the day.
