Uplevel your life, team, organization and the world with the power of "yes, and!"Unlock the power of "Yes, And" to transform your life, your work, and your world. Hosted by Avish Parashar, a funny keynote speaker and leading expert in applied improvisation, this podcast dives deep into the principles of improv comedy and shows you how to apply them to real-life challenges and opportunities.Whether you're a leader looking to inspire your team, an individual aiming to elevate your personal and professional life, or simply someone intrigued by the art of improvisation, this podcast is for you.Why Listen?In each episode, Avish Parashar, a renowned speaker and trainer with years of experience in applied improvisation, shares valuable insights on how to bring the "Yes, And" mindset into your everyday life. Through engaging interviews, solo explorations, and even some improv games, you'll learn how to harness the power of positivity, creativity, and adaptability to navigate uncertainty, b
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Yes, And! With Avish Parashar
059 - Say "Yes, And!" to Playing with a Full Deck with Stephen Shapiro
Sep 21, 202653 min
What if understanding who you're NOT is actually more important than understanding who you are? In this episode, I sit down with innovation expert, Hall of Fame speaker, and author Stephen Shapiro for a wide-ranging conversation about innovation, goals, productivity, personality, collaboration, and creating cultures where different types of people can do their best work. Stephen and I go back more than 20 years — although he probably didn't know it at the time! — and I've followed and learned from his work throughout my speaking career. So I took advantage of this conversation to revisit some of his ideas that have stuck with me over the years. We talk about his counterintuitive philosophy of "Goal-Free Living," why being called "the laziest person" became a compliment that shaped the way he thinks about work, and why he believes most of the best practices we learn from successful people should probably be ignored. Then we dive into Stephen's Personality Poker methodology and his new book, You're Not Playing with a Full Deck. Stephen explains how understanding your natural strengths — and, more importantly, what's missing from your "hand" — can help you figure out who you need around you. I even let Stephen analyze my own Personality Poker results, which leads us into a fascinating conversation about the difference between our innate traits and the traits we learn in order to become successful — and whether some of those learned behaviors can eventually start holding us back. Finally, we explore how these ideas apply beyond the individual to teams and entire organizations, including how leaders can identify what's missing from their teams, improve collaboration, and create lasting culture change. Key Takeaways Why Stephen prefers using a "compass" instead of a "map" when thinking about goals and the future How to "meander with purpose" while still moving your life and business forward Why being "lazy" can actually force you to rethink systems and focus on the work that creates the most value Why you should be skeptical of other people's "best practices" — even when their advice is good How Personality Poker helps you understand both who you are and who you are NOT Why the missing "cards" in your hand can reveal the people you most need to collaborate with The difference between innate personality traits and traits you've learned in order to succeed Why playing to learned strengths might sometimes pull you away from what naturally energizes you How teams can diagnose gaps that are hurting creativity, execution, decision-making, and collaboration Why the person who annoys you the most may actually be the person you need the most How organizations can move beyond one-time training and create culture change that actually sticks Relevant Links Stephen Shapiro: theinnovationspeaker.com Personality Poker: personalitypoker.com You're Not Playing with a Full Deck book by Stephen Shapiro Avish's website: AvishParashar.com
058 - Say "Yes, And!" to Human Judgment in the Age of AI with Lisa Ryan
Aug 3, 202644 min
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry—but how do we make sure we don't automate away the very thing that makes organizations successful: human judgment? In this episode, I welcome back keynote speaker, employee retention expert, and author Lisa Ryan to discuss her new book, Smart Plant: Aligning AI, Automation, and People. Although the book is written around manufacturing, our conversation quickly expands into leadership, workplace culture, employee engagement, and the role of trust in an AI-powered future. We explore why AI should be viewed as a tool rather than a replacement for people, how organizations unintentionally erode judgment through a series of small decisions, why psychological safety matters more than ever, and practical ways leaders can introduce automation without losing the experience and wisdom of their teams. Whether you're leading a manufacturing operation or a knowledge-work team, you'll walk away with practical ideas for embracing technology while keeping people at the center of your leadership. Key Takeaways AI is most powerful when it enhances human judgment instead of replacing it. Human judgment should be treated as organizational infrastructure—not a soft skill. Small leadership decisions can quietly erode trust and decision-making over time. Veteran employees possess valuable "tribal knowledge" that organizations need to intentionally preserve. Psychological safety encourages employees to speak up before problems become crises. Before implementing automation, ask "why" repeatedly to uncover the real objective. Automate the work employees dislike most before replacing decision-making. Introduce AI first in stable, low-risk processes rather than your biggest operational problems. Include frontline employees early in technology decisions to increase buy-in and improve outcomes. Appreciation and recognition remain powerful leadership tools—even in highly automated workplaces. Relevant Links Lisa Ryan's website: https://lisaryanspeaks.com/ Smart Plant: Aligning AI, Automation, and People: https://a.co/d/05Z0GSHp Lisa Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaryanspeaks/ Manufacturers Network Podcast: https://www.manufacturers-network.com/ Avish Parashar: https://AvishParashar.com Say Yes, And! to Change: https://a.co/d/0dLj8ppw
057 - Say "Yes, And!" to Building Relationships that Last with Atul Sood
Jul 20, 202652 min
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it's about collecting contacts. My guest this week argues it's about something much deeper: building genuine friendships. I sat down with business development executive Atul Sood to discuss how authentic relationships have shaped his entire career, from helping McDonald's build technology partnerships to launching startups, navigating personal and professional setbacks, and now thriving as a fractional executive working with multiple companies. We also dive into practical networking strategies that even introverts can use, why following up matters more than making the perfect first impression, and how openness and authenticity often create opportunities that polished résumés never will. Whether you're a business owner, leader, salesperson, or simply someone who wants stronger professional relationships, this episode is full of practical ideas you can start using immediately. Key Takeaways Friendship-first is a powerful business development strategy. Treat every new introduction like it could become a lifelong relationship. Small, consistent follow-ups are more valuable than one perfect networking interaction. Ask new connections who else you should meet. Relationships are built through generosity before they create opportunities. Authenticity and vulnerability often strengthen professional credibility. Difficult seasons don't have to be rushed, sometimes healing requires time. Your network becomes invaluable during career transitions. Fractional leadership is creating new opportunities for experienced professionals. LinkedIn works best when you consistently share value instead of constantly promoting yourself. Relevant Links Connect with Atul Sood on LinkedIn: Atul Sood on LinkedIn Avish's Book, Say "Yes, And!" to Change: https://SayYesAndToChange.com Learn more about Avish Parashar: https://avishparashar.com
055 - Say "Yes, And!" to Clear, Concise, and Confident Communication with Christina Butler
Jun 29, 202652 min
What do live television news, improvisation, and organizational leadership have in common? Quite a bit, it turns out. In this episode, I sit down with communication expert and former TV news anchor Christina Butler to explore how confidence isn't about being perfect—it's about being prepared, adaptable, and willing to take the next step even when you don't have all the answers. Drawing on two decades covering breaking news, riots, major court cases, and other high-pressure situations, Christina shares practical strategies that leaders can use to communicate with clarity during uncertainty and change. Along the way, we discover just how similar the worlds of journalism and improv really are. Whether you're leading a team through change, giving presentations, or simply trying to communicate Key Takeaways Why confidence comes from experience, not perfection. How journalists stay calm under pressure and what leaders can learn from it. Why curiosity is one of the most powerful communication skills you can develop. How to structure messages so they're clear, concise, and memorable. The importance of knowing your audience before you communicate. Why leaders should focus on purpose before tactics. How repetition builds confidence in presentations and difficult conversations. Lessons from improv and journalism about adapting in the moment. Practical ways to communicate effectively during organizational change. Relevant Links Christina Butler: https://christina-butler.com Connect with Christina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinabutler717/ Learn more about Avish: https://avishparashar.com Get a copy of Say "Yes, And!" to Change: https://SayYesAndToChange.com
055 - Say 'Yes, And!' to Change, AI, and Adaptability with Terrence Ryan
Jun 1, 202653 min
What happens when you go through 14 reorganizations and 7 managers in just two years? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend Terrence Ryan, a Developer Relations Manager at Google Cloud specializing in AI, to talk about what it really takes to navigate relentless change, without burning out, disengaging, or simply resisting reality. Terry shares practical strategies he's learned from nearly two decades in tech, including how to manage uncertainty, what leaders get wrong during times of change, and why radical acceptance may be one of the most underrated skills for success. We also dive into the biggest change facing nearly every industry right now: AI. Terry shares a refreshingly practical take on how to think about artificial intelligence, avoid the hype, and actually start using it in ways that make you more effective instead of more overwhelmed. Along the way, we also explore improv, adaptability, office politics, empathy, and why learning to say "That's interesting… let me think about it" might be one of the most powerful phrases in work and life. Key Takeaways A practical strategy for handling uncertainty during organizational change How leaders can communicate change without causing unnecessary anxiety Why people struggle more with being blindsided than with change itself The surprising connection between improv comedy and professional adaptability Terry's take on AI: "We're selling power tools, not robots" How to start experimenting with AI without getting overwhelmed Why empathy may become an even more important skill in an increasingly technical world Relevant Links Connect with Terry on LinkedIn Learn more about Avish: Avish Parashar Website Get Avish's book: Say "Yes, And! To Change.
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