Neil Mullarkey Brings Improv Thinking to Startup Culture
In the high-pressure world of startups, ideas are often met with an instant “yes, but”—a reflex that can quietly kill innovation. Improvisation veteran Neil Mullarkey, known for his work with the Comedy Store Players and his corporate workshops, is urging founders to replace that instinct with a more constructive “yes, and” mindset.
Speaking to an audience of early-stage founders and product leaders, Neil Mullarkey argued that the language teams use in meetings directly shapes their ability to innovate. “Yes, but” signals resistance and risk-aversion, he explained, while “yes, and” keeps conversations open long enough for promising ideas to emerge and evolve.
From Improv Stage to Startup Boardroom
Drawing on decades of experience in improvisational theatre, Neil Mullarkey translates stage principles into everyday startup practice. In improv, performers must listen deeply, accept offers and build on them in real time. For startups, that translates into better collaboration, faster problem-solving and a culture where people feel safe to contribute.
Instead of shutting down a suggestion with “yes, but we tried that” or “yes, but we don’t have budget”, Mullarkey recommends framing responses as “yes, and if we adapt it for our current customers” or “yes, and here’s how we might test it cheaply”. This subtle shift does not remove critical thinking; it postpones judgment long enough to explore options.
Why “Yes And” Matters for Founders
Building Psychological Safety and Resilience
For founders, the “yes, and” approach supports psychological safety, a trait strongly linked with high-performing teams. When team members know their ideas will be built upon rather than dismissed, they are more likely to share insights, flag risks early and stay engaged through setbacks.
Mullarkey notes that this mindset is especially valuable in environments driven by rapid experimentation and lean product development, where the ability to iterate quickly can determine whether a startup finds product–market fit or stalls.
Practical Habits for Startup Teams
He encourages leaders to model the language they want to see: consciously replacing “but” with “and” in meetings, running short improv-inspired exercises before strategy sessions and rewarding contributions that build on others’ ideas. Over time, these habits can transform how teams handle disagreement, risk and uncertainty.
As more founders look for an edge beyond capital and code, Mullarkey’s improv-based approach offers a simple but powerful tool: change a word, and you may change the culture.