The Return of the Yabuts!
Yes, they are still here and perhaps more dangerous than ever in our current business environment given the remarkable recent advances in AI and other technology areas!!! As I wrote some time ago, nothing sucks the blood out of a great idea faster than the dreaded Yabut. In fact, Yabuts may be the No. 1 killer of collaboration, cooperation, great ideas and innovation in organizations.
Yabuts are those vicious little creatures that make noises like; “Yabut, the banks will never back us on this one…” “Yabut, the market is totally unpredictable…” “Yabut, we’ve never done that before…”
I often share the story of Stephen, who had been promoted to director of business development in a large financial services company. During a strategic planning committee meeting, he suggested that they explore how they could be more effective in managing certain new initiatives. Although several of his colleagues looked at him with expressions of interest, the committee leader immediately replied, “Yabut, we really don’t have time to be playing around with our management process at this point, even if we all do feel a little pressure.” And that was that.
Stephen had made several suggestions about new ideas and opportunities since being appointed to the committee. Yet every one of them was answered with some form of “Yabut.” And it wasn’t just Stephen. His colleagues had all gotten that same sort of response repeatedly. As a result, meetings had devolved into a routine of simply answering questions and listening for new tasks. The Yabuts had taken over, dousing any flame of meaningful conversation and debate.
This true story illustrates how these pesky pessimistic critters smother any idea that even hints at disrupting the status quo. This was a Strategic Planning Committee, the sort of venue that should welcome and explore ideas. Yet the Yabuts prevailed with their rush to judgment and preliminary potshots.
I first wrote about Yabuts more than a decade ago, and the concept struck a nerve. Writing in Psychology Today in 2018, Marvin Knittel, Ed.D., author and professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska, featured and quoted my thoughts in his article How a Yabut can Kill a Conversation, noting that Yabuts thrive not just in business but in everyday conversations:
“Yabuts have a strong need for control. They control by first agreeing (yes) and then disagreeing (but). By adding the word ‘but’ Yabuts discount everything leading up to it.”
In addition to the need to control, Knittel noted Yabuts tend to be perfectionists.
“Research suggests that Yabuts have a perfectionistic way of thinking,” he wrote. “They believe there is a ‘right’ way that things should be done. They may become frustrated when others do not see it their way.”
So how can we stop the “Yabuts” before they suck the blood out of our potential growth and prosperity? Replace them with “Yesands…”! Rather than stopping a new idea in its tracks, Yesands nurture and encourage further exploration, such as:
“Yes, and with a more promising corporate strategy, we could negotiate with our banks for better overall conditions.”
“Yes, and we can leverage the market study to include a long needed loyalty review of our most profitable accounts.”
“Yes, and we could learn more about that idea’s potentially positive impact on our current business lines…”
Yesands can be even more encouraging to new ideas when we break them into two thoughts:
“Yes, what I like about what you are saying is (identify something positive inside the person’s comment even if you do not agree with the entire thought). And, (build on top of the point with a positive idea of your own).”
Used consecutively in dialogue, this allows team members to build on each other’s thinking. The results are often amazing. People feel more confident and cooperative, open up and think, put more ideas on the table, and nourish those ideas. As a result, creativity and innovation soar!
Learnings to Take Forward
- 1Determine and document your crisis strategy, including roles and ways of working, and be ready to activate it as a team.
- 2Brainstorm potential unexpected events, even unlikely ones, so that you’re not left stunned. Ask, “What if…”
- 3Learn and practice stress management techniques to maintain balance and creativity when under high pressure.
- 4Have outside help on hand: a trusted adviser, coach, or consultant you can call on to instantly boost your capacity, creativity, and expertise.
As with any habit, it takes time to break. And it’s worth it. The results are guaranteed to surprise you, delight your audience, and foster a remarkable outcome.
Note: For more on “Yabuts,” their effect on corporate vision & strategy development, and what to do about it, check out Scott’s book Time Machine Leadership, available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.
