What's the Wrong Answer?
The group designs what is definitely not the right answer to their problem. Defining what you do not want often clarifies what you do want.
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Related Exercises
Parts of a Whole
The group uses their bodies to collectively form a suggested item. Each individual becomes a different part. Progresses to more complex scenarios. Teaches ceding control to serve the ensemble.
Question Storming
Instead of brainstorming answers, brainstorm questions about your challenge. This reframes the problem and often reveals root causes and new angles.
Turbocharged Brainstorm
Gamify a brainstorm by imposing ambitious targets around volume and time. The constraint frees people from needing good ideas, which helps them have better ones.
Yes Lets - or Rather Not
Yes Lets - or Rather Not is a variation of Yes Lets in which players can either accept a suggestion with enthusiasm or politely decline it, requiring the group to navigate agreement and disagreement gracefully. The exercise teaches that saying no can be done supportively and that the group can redirect without blocking.
Out of the Box
Partners lead each other around the room pointing to objects; the other must name each object as anything other than what it actually is.
Change the Rules
List all rules and assumptions you bring to a problem, then invert each one. Opens new solution spaces by challenging every constraint.
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). What's the Wrong Answer?. Retrieved March 17, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/exercises/whats-the-wrong-answer
The Improv Archive. "What's the Wrong Answer?." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/exercises/whats-the-wrong-answer.
The Improv Archive. "What's the Wrong Answer?." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/exercises/whats-the-wrong-answer. Accessed March 17, 2026.
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