PRODUCTIVE BRAINSTORMING

Have you ever sat in a meeting that is a designated time to brainstorm ideas and had your idea put down by someone before you finish your sentence?   Have you noticed how the creative juices fail to flow when one person dominates the meeting or where ideas are quickly squelched before they are even fully developed?  Here are some ways to maximize those times of creative problem solving so that effective solutions can be found:

Setting it Up:

Everybody at the meeting must know and follow the guidelines.
Anyone who steps outside the parameters must be reminded by the chair that a counter productive tone is being set.

If this is during the course of a regularly scheduled meeting, designate a time and name it.  ie.  We will take the next twenty minutes to brainstorm ideas on this subject.

If this is a meeting specifically called for the purpose of brainstorming, it will be less formal, may include other related topics, and be without a time limit.  Be sure to have a note taker and make provision for a vehicle to share thoughts that may come later.

Both the problem and the desired outcome must be clearly stated at the outset, so there is both clarity of purpose and focus to the discussion.  If other issues that don't relate to the topic come up in the course of the discussion, simply make a note of them.

Take a moment to corporately give the time to the Lord, asking Him to infuse the hearts and minds of those gathered.

Guidelines for Participants:

a)  There aren't any bad ideas.  There may be ideas that don't prove out to be practical or serve the purpose, after giving more consideration, but NO idea put out to the group is to be mocked, downgraded, or squelched by negative reaction. If there is discussion around the idea, that is the time to speak up.  Language carefully.

b)  Some ideas that start out seeming impractical are sometimes the germ of something  great when modified or approached from a different angle.

c)  Acknowledge and endorse the creativity in the room.  Communicate your enthusiasm for ideas that are fresh and creative.
This encourages creativity around the table, which results in a new synergy. 

d)  Establish and acknowledge differences in approach.  Categorize ideas into possible steps of action.  One person might come up with a great idea that might be a stepping stone along the way, but be missing the first steps.  That's where your analytical abilities and problem solving skills can shine.

e)  Keep personal pride out of this.   Be a big enough person to not care who comes up with the greatest ideas, and focus on finding the best solutions. 

f)  Be thankful that you have others to share ideas with so that the brilliance of all can be used by the Lord in constructive ways.  JS

Key Questions: