You have the tools, now here are the tips
Preparing for brainstorming success
From our Brainstorming Playbook series
In previous weeks I introduced you to four types of ideating tools – Re-expression, Related Worlds, Revolution, and Random Links. This week I want to give you some things to think about when preparing for your brainstorming sessions so that you have a greater chance of having a successful outcome.
A great brainstorming session begins with the planning. When preparing for the session, remind everyone that brainstorming begins with their frame of mind. If you’re confident you’ll find a solution, then you will.
At the beginning of the brainstorming session, let participants know the following three things:
Be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable about some ideas because it’s important to be open to every idea, even ones you don’t like.
Being willing to hear all ideas creates an atmosphere of openness, trust, and fun.
Avoid “Either/or” thinking. ”We can either do this, or that, but not both” limits creativity. Instead, ask: “And what else?”
Not every idea will come directly from brainstorming as a group. There are ways to encourage yourself and your team to practice brainstorming and fresh thinking outside of set sessions.
Here are some ideas to share to make creative ideas more likely to occur at any time:
Carry a small notebook. Ideas often come when you least expect them, so keep a small notebook with you, even at your bedside table. Using pen and paper lets you visualize your idea right then and there.
Always be curious. When you’re out and about, notice the world around you. When you read an article, what else does it make you think of? How could you improve on another company’s product or service?
Experiment. Try lots of brainstorming techniques. There’s no one ideal condition for creativity. What works for one person may not be helpful for another, and every day is different, so experiment to find what works for most people and keep a selection of brainstorming tools handy.
Change your environment. A change of location can stimulate different thinking when you become stuck. For example, go for a walk outside if you have been sitting at your desk for a while, or change the room you usually have your team meeting in.
Arrange cross-departmental brainstorming sessions. Bring together team members from different departments or areas of expertise to allow cross-pollination of ideas and to exchange diverse perspectives and approaches. Combining different areas of expertise can result in surprisingly good new ideas!
Need help with facilitating creative problem-solving?
Rock Star Managers Coaching Program (next cohort is June 6th, 2024) is just one option for deepening your expertise in using ideating tools and creating a culture of creative problem-solving and innovation, which will contribute to you being an even more highly valued manager! Contact me if you have any questions: Ellia@ThePotentialCenter.com
I believe that, with the right support anyone can learn creative ways to solve problems. If you’d like to see what tapping into creative potential could look like at your place of work, contact me at Ellia@ThePotentialCenter.com to arrange a call.