Two of my favorite words -- "Yes and" -- are indispensable during negotiations or tense conversations. "No but" often becomes our default phrase when the stakes are high. We're afraid to use "yes" in these situations because we mistakenly think it's synonymous with agreement. "Yes" means: "I hear you. I understand what you're saying." "And" means: "Now I will share my take on the situation." Replacing "No but" with "Yes and" isn't a magic wand. But this simple substitution improves the chances of breaking up a conversational logjam. When we feel acknowledged, we're less defensive and more open to listening to other points of view. At the very least, the door to moving forward remains ajar instead of closed. …see more