How to Brainstorm With a Group of People

Brainstorming in a group can be very intimidating. Brainstorm session leaders have to be assertive in encouraging conversation, while at the same time accepting multiple perspectives and showing how they work together. If you're feeling the burn of working hard to lead a group brainstorm, try some helpful hints for more effective and creative brainstorming sessions that are sure to succeed.

Things You'll Need

• Whiteboard or large display pad of paper
• Pen

Instructions

1. Announce clear session goals for your group brainstorming. Write the goals clearly on your pad of paper or white board and leave them up the entire session. Have the group discuss the goals and refine them to meet group expectations and needs.

2. Encourage new perspectives. You can't just expect your group to automatically churn out lots of different viewpoints, though. You may need to ask the group to think about a problem as their next-door neighbor, grandmother or kindergartener might.

3. Use metaphors and pictures. Bring props and ask the group to brainstorm how each one is related to your problem. Ask group members to create visual responses and organizers to explore their initial reactions to a problem.

4. Use opposites. If you're having a hard time figuring out how to solve a problem, think about ways you could definitively make a problem worse. Opposites can be useful and also provide a refreshing and sometimes humorous break from looking for solutions.

5. Break the group into smaller groups or build in time for individual reflection when you feel like the entire group is fatigued. Working in short sessions of individual journaling or concept mapping can be really helpful and individuals may feel more comfortable sharing personal insights when they have had some time to reflect alone.