Theme: YES, and...

Do you say “No, but” a lot without giving it any thought? Your time and energy is limited, a practical approach seems more efficient and you can't say yes to all requests, right? But what would happen if you tried “Yes, and…” instead?

In improv, the art of spontaneous, unplanned, unscripted performance, uses the principle of “Yes, and...". Embracing this approach allows anything to happen, including moments of sheer brilliance, hilarity and wisdom. Can the fast and free creativity of improv comedy translate to your own life?

In design thinking, taking a "Yes and" approach can produce ingenious solutions. Articles have been written that using the phrase 'Yes and' in a dialogue helps create more positive energy and exponentially increases possibilities. "Yes and" also acknowledges where things stand then dares to take it further. The power of 'and' is the power of collaboration, working together, of accepting that there is more than just what is here and now.

This year, TEDxPuxi has chosen the theme of "Yes, and..." to help people make sense of the rapid change and volatility in the current Shanghai and global realities. When might we say, "Yes, and..." more often?

Shanghai Centre Theatre
1376 Nanjing Road West
Shanghai, Shanghai, 200040
China

Emily Chang

Chief Marketing Officer - Starbucks China

Fiona Douglas

Services Director - Essential Learning Group

Genevieve Flaven

Playwriter, Designer, Owner - Style-Vision Asia

Jasmine Huang

Founder - ZH Communication, Producer

Kapil Kane

Director of Innovation - Ideas2Reality (Intel)

Kate YiJia Yan

Psychotherapist - emotional and behavioral development of children

Ting Ting Fang

Co-Founder - HeyShop, Founder - Little Blue

Zhengchun Peng

Endowed Professor - electronics and nanorobotics at Shenzhen University; Director of Center for Stretchable Electronics and IoT Sensors