Over recent years, brainstorming has gone from a generic term to a science that is supported by a lot of material, experts and even software. For those of you who have not experienced a “brainstorming” session you might be missing something. The idea is to extract as many ideas from the collective intellect of those present at the session and then organize it into something useful.
Done well, it can be a great starting point for a new project. Executed badly, it can derail and even reduce support for whatever you are trying to achieve. Before setting up a brainstorming session, clear directions about how it is going to be managed is crucial before getting everyone together.
Individuals need to know that the gathering is going to be constructive and the creativity and input of those present will be required. With many hours often wasted in meetings across the world, setting up a meeting with less than tangible goals can often receive a lukewarm reaction. For example, we are going to meet to see if you have any good ideas about this…
Better to start out by laying a challenge or questions that need answering or input to encourage useful participation. In addition for those attending remember that each person has a different perspective, particularly when it comes to creative ideas. In a good brainstorming session, you want the ideas from the “quiet ones” as well as those that cannot remain silent for more than a few minutes. To create this efficiently often requires the presence of an external facilitator, mainly because existing internal or operational managers often create a “staid” atmosphere, not encouraging “out of the box” or creative thinking.
Excerpted from Finish What You Start by Michael Cunningham
