How To Have an Effective Brainstorming Session

Having effective brainstorming sessions can be a great way to not only generate good new ideas, but also bring a team together. However, if creativity just doesn’t spark, the session could turn out to be tiring rather than effective. Luckily, we have some tips that could help you lead a great session no matter your organization.

Put thought into your location

Yes, location does matter. It defines the energy and overall mood of your session. Therefore, try to pick a new location to schedule your meeting. If the weather is nice, consider heading outside to a park or coffee shop.

Invite a diverse group of people

Try to invite new people from other teams to your meetings. This way, you’ll have a mix of skill sets, perspectives, and contextual knowledge to come up with ideas that are truly original.

Provide clear goals before the meeting

Define clear goals of the meeting so everyone participating knows what to expect. In addition, providing them with reading material or contextual information before the meeting could help them come prepared and avoid awkward silences. 

Say “no” to bad ideas fast

Don’t be scared to say “no” to bad ideas immediately. This way, you will not only save time but you will also help give the team a better idea of what you’re looking for. However, when saying “no” to an idea, be sure you’re not saying it in a tone that could lead people to fear speaking up. 

Write everything down

Make sure to document all the ideas mentioned in the meeting. Sometimes, people can refer to previous ideas to come up with even better ones. Use all your ideas as creative fuel.

All in all, planning and structure are key to leading an effective brainstorming session. Come prepared, make sure your team is prepared, and let the creative juices flow.