The golden rule of improv applies well beyond comedy.
The most famous dictum of improv comedy is “Yes, and.” When someone adds something to the scene, you must accept it and work with it as you continue. Only through that open collaboration can you create something all the improvisers share in.
It’s the same for any collaboration. If you deny someone’s idea in the studio, you are weakening the collaboration. If you deny an idea in a brainstorming session, you are closing down minds to offering their future ideas.
It’s the same in teaching, too. When students have ideas, we have to “yes, and” them. Even when my students are taking us down musical paths that I am fairly certain are dead ends, I say “yes, and” because exploring their own ideas is probably the best way for them to learn.