Leadership Handout Series

BRAINSTORMING

Is your group stumped for new ideas? Do you do the same activities the same old way year after year? Do the leaders and maybe just a few others seem to do all the talking?

Brainstorming may be just the technique that may help you to rejuvenate your organization and get everyone excited and involved. The purpose of this method is to stimulate your group members into getting out as many ideas as possible. Remember, the more selections you have to choose from, the better your final choice will be! Also, the more your group members are involved within the group processes the more committed they are to the group goals. You can use brainstorming for almost anything: program ideas, themes, slogans, publicity, group goals, and problem-solving.

The rules for brainstorming are simple:

1. Be sure the group understands the rules before you begin.
2. Assign someone the specific task of monitoring the session to ensure the rules are followed.

SET THE STAGE

1. Set a time limit - 10 to 30 minutes, depending upon the size of your group and the complexity of the issue. Some groups require more time while other groups require less time.
2. The ideal group size is 3–15 people. If you have more, think about breaking into two or more smaller groups and brainstorming simultaneously.
3. The question, problem, idea or issue must be one to which all participants can freely speak. Also, focus on one issue per brainstorming session only.
4. Record all responses on a blackboard or on big sheets of newsprint so that everyone can see them. Don't record the name of the person suggesting an idea, but instead record what they are actually saying. Remember to record key words, ideas and phrases only. Do not record word for word.

EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING “RULES OF BRAINSTORMING”

• List ideas rather than discussing them.
• Don't criticize, praise, or judge. Brainstorming is meant to be a non-judgmental technique.
• Be spontaneous — no hand-raising, just call out. Brainstorming is controlled chaos.
• Repetitions are OK.
• Quantity counts and is more important than quality in this instance.
• Build on each other's ideas.
• Enjoy the silences - often the best ideas come out of them because more reflection is used.
• It's OK to be outrageous, even silly. Brainstorming is meant to be an enjoyable experience.

MAKE GOOD USE OF YOUR MEMBERS' CREATIVITY

• Let everyone read each other's work or ideas, especially if several groups were used to brainstorm the same idea.
• Group ideas into related categories for review.
• Let the group decide which ideas are most promising and which can be eliminated.
• Rank in order the most promising.
• Select those with the greatest potential and high-ranking priority for either implementation or refinement by committee.
• Be sure to utilize the ideas generated. It is extremely demoralizing for a group to invest its time, energy, and creativity only to have its ideas disappear. However, if your group members see their ideas implemented it will be an extremely rewarding and motivating experience for them.