One of the first tasks in a brainstorming session is selecting a leader. The leader of the session will ultimately function less as a dictator – or even a benevolent King – and more as a facilitator, a coach, a cheerleader and a navigator.
What if you get picked to be the leader? You don’t know facilitation from procrastination, and you’ve certainly never seen yourself as some kind of Anthony Robbins meets Richard Simmons. Relax. Leading an effective brainstorming session doesn’t have to be a Sisyphean task of futile exertion. Remember, a brainstorming session is supposed to work like a meeting of anarchists. You’re not organizing a brain surgery, you are attempting to get a bunch of folks to get a little crazy in their thinking while at the same time staying focused on a specific question or problem.
Pay attention. You can do this.
As the leader of a brainstorming session, you have a few specific tasks to accomplish. Lucky for you they are easy to define and understand, and each task follows after the next. Any good brainstorming session tends to clarify itself as it unfolds and if you begin on the right foot, your role will should come naturally.
Let’s get started!
Space Out
The first step in organizing a great brainstorming session is finding the right environment. Should you really go to the same old meeting room again? Why not find a new space? Why not go outside? If you are stuck in the same spot, can you decorate or change the room in some way? What about cranking up some music to get things off with a bang. Anything you can do to shake up your team and bump them out of their autopilot mode is a good idea! One team we read about even put on Halloween masks and sang songs before beginning their sessions. Get creative!
Gear Up
You are going to need lots of equipment, accessories and technology to brainstorm effectively…NOT! Here’s what you need: a pen and some paper. You may want to have enough for everyone, but just one pen and some paper for a designated “secretary” may be plenty. Don’t fill your space with fancy gear. Fill it with ideas.
Coach
Clearly state the focus of your session and make sure everyone understands the purpose of meeting. Also make sure to define a clear amount of time for the session. Encourage the loosest, silliest, wackiest notions your team can conjure. Remember, we only find new solutions when we let go of old assumptions, so lead by example. However, never tolerate any negativity. This rule is absolute. Even one errant, critical comment can shut down team members, making them unwilling to go out on a limb with any more creative suggestions.
Follow Up
As you draw near to the end of your session, make clear designations for follow up actions that need to be taken your team members. Make sure each member knows what they need to do and has what they need to do it. After the session, follow up with each member thanking them for their enthusiasm and participation.
As with any leadership role, you can only get your team members to follow you to places where you are willing to go yourself. You need to set an example. Most people will be able to loosen up and step outside the box, but they’re more likely to if you go first.
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