The funky world of brainstorming tools
How can you dance your way to a new idea?
Let’s dive into the brainstorming toolbox!
Welcome to another post in the series on the Brainstorming Playbook. Ready to have some fun? This week we dive into brainstorming tools!
Re-expression tools
If you recall from the last Brainstorming Playbook post, re-expression tools can include:
● Using alternative words, like using a thesaurus
● Making a drawing or act it out instead of relying on words
● Speaking from someone else’s perspective
Let’s dive into the toolbox!
Someone Else’s Shoes
Identify the problem, then choose someone whose eyes to view the problem through. Take a couple of minutes to put yourself in their shoes and see how they would view the problem. What new ideas or considerations does that make you think of?
This is best done individually, so give people 5-10 minutes to work on their own, then either come back to the full group (max 7 or 8 people) or break people into small groups (have a notetaker) for them to compare their imaginary conversations. What ideas could be pulled out of those imaginary conversation to build on?
Drawing
Ask people to draw as many possible solutions as they can think of. To make it even more fun, ask people to then draw a picture of what two drawings of their choosing would look like when combined.
Have one person draw one possibility, pass it to another person to add to it, and so on.
Movement
Have people build something together, using basic materials like paper, tape, twine empty paper towel rolls, etc.
Run a scavenger hunt where people have to come up with a new product, service, or process using the items they found. You can relate the items to the problem you’re trying to solve.
Have people dance or act out a situation, e.g. creating a wok out of bean bags and then people act out the different “parts” of a stir fry. Seriously! A food producer did this with one of the products it wanted to improve and discovered two things to change in the production and user instructions ;)
Music
Write a song or jingle about a product, service or process that could tackle the issue at hand.
Think of a well-known song that introduces the idea and could be used as a theme song. The teams can perform the song if they wish ;).
How will you and your team use Re-expression ideating tools?
Look at your calendar for meetings where you could use one of these techniques. Choose a tool that you will introduce at the session. Play with this tool in advance of the meeting so that you’re clear on how it works, how to explain it, and guidance you’ll give if people get stuck.
Need help with facilitating creative problem-solving?
I offer a few options for helping you learn how to use ideating tools, and create a culture of creative problem-solving and innovation. If you want to learn more about these options, let’s hop on a call. We may discover some useful info, for example, that you’re unsure about how to facilitate a brainstorming session. Schedule a time to talk here.
Till next time,
Ellia
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.