- When do you generate more ideas?
When you're staring at a computer screen
bearing down of the problem at hand,
or when you're in a lighter, less stressful state of mind?
if you're like most people,
it's probably the latter.
We generate more ideas
when our mind is engaged in open free activities.
Like when we're engaged in play.
Creativity and play share
many of the same characteristics, positive mindset,
defined goal, restrictions to overcome
and reduced consequences.
So it would be logical that if you insert play
into your brainstorming session,
you can expect more and better ideas to emerge.
And you would be right.
Play strongest characteristic to effective ideation,
is the reduction of consequence.
When you're playing a game,
the worst that can happen is you lose the game.
No one gets demoted or loses their job.
Because the worst that can happen is losing the game,
we're far more willing to risk during play,
something we covet during brainstorming.
You should want your stormers to risk embarrassment,
and explore crazy directions,
so anything that helps reduce the consequence
of that exploration is welcome.
Play encourages that type of interaction
because there's nothing of significance
riding on the outcome of play.
Plus studies have shown that when our hands are busy,
our minds are more free to operate independently.
So bring in markers in Play-Doh
Legos and arts and crafts materials,
let them fiddle and doodle.
Make the session playful in any way you can
while still maintaining the core objective of the time.
The more playful the session,
the more free the participants will feel
to give you everything they have.
If the energy and activity in the room starts to lessen,
you may introduce a quick game to bring that energy back up.
For instance,
if I'm leading a brainstorm session
for ideas in the pet category,
I may use a timeboxing game like,
"You have 60 seconds to name as many dog names
"that start with the letter M as you can.
"Ready?
"Go."
Even though this isn't an activity
that directly results in more ideas for the problem at hand,
it loosens the mood and reengages them
in the act of generating ideas.
Another technique that promotes a playful environment
is overt encouragement.
When a good idea is offered,
react overtly positive, react to big or even average ideas,
and your storm will as well openly respond with more.
Everyone likes to be told the ideas is awesome.
So give that feedback openly and often.
It promotes a playful environment,
the freedom to explore crazy ideas
and will result in more active sessions.