Tracy and Cal work for a company that names “Collaboration” as a core value, but no one has ever defined collaboration. Tracy and Cal head back to their desks after the meeting. Tracy says, “Cal, You told me last month when I started working here that you were going to have my back.” Cal says, […]

Altogether too many people hate their jobs. Company cultures have a lot to overcome. My facebook feed is littered with people griping about their bosses, complaining about customers, and using “TGIF” like a clarion call to freedom. But the freedom is short lived. Do a quick google image search for “Monday.” “I hate Mondays.” “If […]

Great Goals Are Bigger Than You I’ve been looking back at my 2015, and in a life I’m proud of, this may be my best year yet for setting and reaching goals. I’ve watched and nurtured my baby daughter grow into a gregarious, curious, and precocious toddler. I’ve watched and nurtured our baby company grow, […]

It’s often said in business, but rarely written in so many words: “Shit happens.” Sometimes, the shit that happens is our responsibility, and it lands on others.  Sometimes, hell, it hits the fan, and lands on a great many people. At these times, there’s damage to repair. So, humans have invented the apology. Properly deployed, the […]

Brian Burns invited me to be a guest on his fantastic podcast, “The Brutal Truth About Sales and Selling.” We talked about the critical role of authenticity in sales — and how to get there. Here’s a link to the episode. Listen here. We discuss the death of the canned pitch, the dangers of being […]

By Aaron Schmookler, Adam Utley, and Rachel Lionheart (in collaboration)   Most leaders, when asked, say that their team has the skills it needs to perform better than average. When asked specifically about communication, however, they say it needs to get better.  When asked about teamwork, they say it needs to get better.  When asked […]

We loved talking with Brogan and Scott.  There’s a lot of great improv wisdom tucked into this double episode: PART 1 PART 2

Recently, the following question about an employee complaint appeared on a message board for Human Resources Professionals: The Question What Would You Do? You are the HR Manager of a small accounting firm consisting of NINE women and ONE man. Once a week, the water jug must be changed, and the women usually ask the one […]

Problem is, most business training is ineffective, boring, powerpoint lecturing yak-yak that accomplishes nothing.  It espouses systems or techniques designed to help ensure success.  And the systems work.  There’s nothing wrong with the systems they teach.  But there’s nothing wrong with the systems that are already in place either.  Informational training about systems and best […]

I remember once walking through the halls of my workplace on a Friday morning.  I was in a good mood.  I was happy to be there.  I was looking forward to working with my teammates.  I was looking forward to serving my customers.  It was going to be a good day. Then, as I was […]

Everything is an offer. That’s a principle that we at The Yes Works teach.  An “offer,” in an improv context, is some bit of information provided to you for your creative use.  We can take creative inspiration from absolutely anything in our environment—from something someone says, from the tone with which they say it, or […]

Hear our ten minute interview on KLAY radio’s program, “Equal Time Radio.”   Thanks, Traci Kelly and Frank Blair, for having us on!