If you’re facilitating a brainstorming session, use a large sticky note to post these as a continual reminder throughout the session to encourage everyone to participate. Go over the rules at the beginning of the brainstorming session to set the stage for the meeting and explain why you have these simple, easy-to-follow rules in place.
Respect Time
You must be respectful of time. Everyone is busy. People don’t want to feel as if they’ve gone to yet another unproductive meeting. Even though there will be times when people get off on tangents, it's always a good idea to rein it back in so that it doesn’t take up the time to brainstorm the topic at hand. If ideas don't relate to the brainstorming topic itself, put those aside on a separate sheet of paper or white board that is your ‘parking lot.’ This ways it is noted, but understood as a separate topic and conversation. Doing this allows you to validate a person’s input while keeping the meeting running on time. It’s your job as the facilitator to be the timekeeper and keep things flowing.
Participation
Encourage participation. This is key. It’s quite embarrassing to host a brainstorming session and have only one or two of the people participate while everyone else just sits around. Equally embarrassing is allowing someone to monopolize the session with their ideas at the expense of others. As a facilitator, it’s your job to ensure everyone has a voice during the meeting. Call on folks that are quiet. Ask boisterous people to ‘hold that thought’ while you ask for someone else’s opinion.
At the beginning of the session, tell everyone, “You are here for a reason. You were invited to this brainstorming session because of your knowledge, skill set, and perspective. Your ideas are valued. Please participate wholeheartedly and enthusiastically.”
Electronic Devices
Phones and any other electronic devices should be turned off or silenced. Having a phone buzz or ring during an in-depth discussion or breakthrough moment can ruin the epiphany that was about to happen. Schedule breaks during the session and let everyone know they will have plenty of time to check email and voice mail during that time. Some folks go so far as to have everyone drop their device in a basket that gets set aside. This may be too bold for some situations. You’ll need to decide this for yourself and situation. Make it clear that the brainstorming session was set up as a time to focus on the topic. Creativity cannot flow when there's continual interruption by electronic devices.
Equality
This is of utmost importance during a brainstorming session: everyone has to have equal importance when it comes to ideas. Job titles need to get checked at the door. Depending on the brainstorming topic, you may have the president of a company alongside the door greeter at the same table coming up with ideas. All ideas need to be forthcoming and flowing easily. And, no idea should be considered too big or too small. Everything should be treated with importance and appreciation- no matter who it came from. Doing this allows everyone to feel welcome and equal as a part of the process and brainstorming team.
Go A Little Nuts!
The last rule in creating a successful brainstorming session is to welcome all ideas— no matter how crazy, wacky, silly, or ‘pie in the sky’ that they are. Some of the wildest thoughts spur additional conversation. That dialogue can lead to additional thoughts and creative ideas that are exactly what your company needs to implement or expound on. The key to success for a product launch, new service offering or marketing campaign can be found when you allow the looseness, creativity, and wackiness to flow.
Follow these simple rules for a successful brainstorming session and you will come away with some fabulous ideas.
