Last updated on Jul 12, 2024

How would you encourage team members to share unconventional ideas during brainstorming sessions?

Encouraging team members to share unconventional ideas can be a game-changer in brainstorming sessions, where creativity is vital. The fear of judgment often stifles innovation, so creating an environment that welcomes all thoughts, no matter how out-of-the-box they seem, is crucial. By fostering a culture of openness and psychological safety, you allow your team to push boundaries without the fear of ridicule. This not only leads to a more dynamic exchange of ideas but also boosts team morale and confidence in contributing to problem-solving.

1 Set Norms

Establishing clear norms at the outset of a brainstorming session can significantly impact the willingness of team members to share unconventional ideas. Make it known that all ideas are welcome and that the goal is to generate a wide range of solutions without immediate critique. Encourage participants to build on each other's suggestions, which can lead to a more collaborative and less judgmental atmosphere. This approach helps to level the playing field and signals that the session values creativity over hierarchy.

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Jordan Laessig

Creative Director at Mallard Agency | Growing Brands by Empowering Creatives to do their Life’s Best Work
Encourage unconventional ideas by creating a safe, open environment where all contributions are valued. Set ground rules against criticism during brainstorming. Use techniques like "yes, and" to build on ideas, and "what if" scenarios to spark creativity. Reward and recognize innovative thinking. Lead by example, sharing your own bold ideas. Rotate leadership roles in sessions to ensure diverse perspectives and foster an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere.
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2 Safe Space

Creating a 'safe space' is essential for team members to feel comfortable sharing their most creative and unconventional ideas. Emphasize that brainstorming sessions are judgment-free zones where the focus is on exploration, not evaluation. Remind everyone that every idea is a stepping stone to innovation and that even the most unconventional thought can spark brilliance. A safe space nurtures risk-taking and can lead to breakthroughs that conventional thinking would not achieve.

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Adriana Vazquez

Senior Marketing Manager | Social Media | Advertising | Positioning | e-commerce | Communication | Promotion | Digital Marketing | Branding | Public Relations | Growth Marketing
Siempre una sesión de lluvia de ideas debe ser acompañada por espacios que inviten a la creatividad, dando la seguridad de que ninguna idea es mala todo suma, es una labor del líder garantizar que el pensamiento disruptivo siempre es respetado.

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Andrea Ortega Jimenez

Communications and culture 4.0 consultant| C-Transmedia Communications and Content coordinator |Una Andrea Más Founder
Generar espacios seguros físicos, mentales y emocionales es clave para que tu equipo de su máximo potencial. En mi caso, propongo técnicas de meditación que ayudan a activar la consciencia y la imaginación. 1. Genero un espacio de calma. 2. Invito a realizar una respiración consciente. 3. Intento que se conecten con su cuerpo. 4. Propongo imaginen espacios y situaciones en los que se sientan a salvo. 5. Les pido que piensen en el presente, y que relacionen el proyecto/ campaña con lugares, formas y colores. 6. Salimos del momento meditativo. 7. Compartimos al experiencia. ¡Conectar con nosotros mismos, es la mejor manera de innovar!

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3 Diverse Teams

Diversity in team composition is a powerful catalyst for unconventional thinking. Encourage a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to enrich the brainstorming process. When team members see their colleagues from different departments or with varied skill sets contributing unique ideas, it can inspire them to think outside their usual parameters. This diversity not only brings in fresh viewpoints but also demonstrates that there's no single 'right' way to approach a problem.

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Anna Li

MBA | Creativity and Innovation | International Strategy | Design Thinking | Violinist
if we want creativity, we need to ask everyone and anyone related down the customer and stakeholder journey, even the ones not directly related to outcome can be source of great ideas!
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Carol Liberty

Brand Specialist | Environmental Business @UWaterloo | Chapter President KKG - Zeta Omega
I believe diversity is needed for innovation, which starts with good brainstorming. A team with different backgrounds, has different experiences, and different ways of thinking and thus will come up with different ideas and use others' ideas to come to different conclusions. Diversifying your teams will diversify your thoughts and diversify the ideas you bring into your brainstorming sessions.
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4 Encourage Play

Injecting elements of play into brainstorming can break down barriers and stimulate creative thinking. Use games or playful exercises to get the creative juices flowing and encourage team members to think differently. These activities can shift the mood from serious to playful, making it easier for unconventional ideas to surface. When team members are having fun, they're more likely to let their guard down and share ideas they might otherwise keep to themselves.

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5 Reward Risks

Recognizing and rewarding risk-taking can encourage team members to share their unconventional ideas. Celebrate the courage it takes to suggest something novel, even if the idea isn't ultimately implemented. This positive reinforcement shows that the team values innovative thinking and is willing to explore all possibilities. When team members feel their creativity is appreciated, they're more likely to continue contributing bold ideas in the future.

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6 Follow Through

Ensuring that unconventional ideas are given due consideration is vital for encouraging ongoing creativity. When a team member shares an out-of-the-box idea, take the time to explore its potential rather than dismissing it outright. Discuss how it might work, what challenges it may face, and how it could be integrated into a viable solution. This follow-through demonstrates that you take creative contributions seriously and value the thought process behind them.

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Andrea Ortega Jimenez

Communications and culture 4.0 consultant| C-Transmedia Communications and Content coordinator |Una Andrea Más Founder
Nunca uses palabras limitantes con tu equipo, como líder tienes el poder de ayudarles a llegar a una mejor idea o a que el/ ella misma se dé cuenta de si es o no pertinente. En mi experiencia siempre escucho con atención e intento direccionar la idea a la necesidad puntual así: 1. Me gusta la idea, ¿cómo se integraría al proyecto? 2. ¿Hasta donde podríamos llevar esta idea? 3. ¿Condieras que el equipo tiene la capacidad para desarrollarla? 4. Con la idea de tu otro compañero, ¿Cómo podría integrarse esta? 5. Cuéntame más, ¿qué te inspira o motiva esta idea? ¡Indaga, escucha y acompaña en la visión!

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Creative Strategy

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How would you encourage team members to share unconventional ideas during brainstorming sessions?

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2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set Norms

2 Safe Space

3 Diverse Teams

4 Encourage Play

5 Reward Risks

6 Follow Through

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Strategy

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How would you encourage team members to share unconventional ideas during brainstorming sessions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set Norms

2 Safe Space

3 Diverse Teams

4 Encourage Play

5 Reward Risks

6 Follow Through

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Strategy

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