Brainstorming: Improving Efficiency

Productivity Inspiration / by admin / December 23, 2019

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The method itself brainstorming was proposed by Alex Osborne, co-owner of a large advertising firm in the United States. In 1942, in the book How to think up, this idea was first expressed. In 1953, Applied Imagination: Principles and Procedures of Creative Problem Solving Applied Imagination was published, in which the author specifies two basic rules of effectiveness:

Postpone Decisions: Don't get upset when bad ideas are proposed.
Accumulate more ideas: think through the maximum number of options.

These rules sound simple, but in reality they are often violated, which negates the effect of teamwork. There are several reasons and psychological characteristics that prevent you from fully disclosing yourself in a brainstorming session. TikTok online viewer and downloader TikTokni.com search profiles, videos, music, followers for free.

What can get in the way of productive brainstorming

When conducting a brainstorming session, it is important to take into account the psychological characteristics of its participants. Not everyone can think calmly in a brainstorming session. There are factors that make this process ineffective.

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1. Fear of bosses

Research shows that people feel trapped in corporate meetings where there is leadership, and that the CEO or CEO is often involved in brainstorming sessions.

The employee is afraid to voice a bad idea and make himself look worthless in the eyes of his superiors.

Therefore, many people prefer not to express their ideas for fear of disapproval.

2. All attention to extroverts

During a brainstorming session, extroverts freely share ideas, while introverts process information silently.

Studies of brain activity have shown that the path that information takes in an introvert's brain is longer and more confusing than that for an extrovert. Introverts need more time to think and analyze. Before a valuable idea is formed and spoken out loud, extroverts have already made a decision.

3. Fear of new ideas

Modern society does not get tired of worshiping creativity and innovation, but this does not negate the fact that the brain is very rigidly fencing itself off from any innovation.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of North Carolina noted that everyone loves practical ideas that do not go beyond the usual. it property the brain protects us from uncertainty in life, and it is very difficult for a person to deal with it. We take a wrong decision painfully.

Everyone subconsciously strives for safer options and rejects risky ones, even if they are very innovative and creative.

The incubation period of creativity

Very often, in a brainstorming session, only the outcome is appreciated, not paying attention to the process. It is believed that in the final of the assault there must be a tangible result: a brilliant idea or several, and if there are none, then the event is considered unsuccessful.

It has been proven that setting strict limits on the time of the creative process does not lead

In 1926, the famous English theorist Graham Wallace divided creative process in five steps:

Training. You formulate a problem, research it, and focus on finding a solution.
Incubation. The problem enters the subconscious and begins to be solved there, while nothing comes out to the surface of consciousness.
Hint. You feel that you are on your way to solving a problem, that a muse is about to visit you.
Illumination. The idea comes to the surface of consciousness and you understand it.
Checking. The idea is tested, expanded and supplemented, after which you proceed to implementation.

People consistently go through all the stages, but there is one problem: the incubation period does not have a clear time frame. It is unlikely that evolutionarily we have the idea of brainstorming in 40 minutes.

An idea can “ripen” in the subconscious for a day, week or month. Many creative people recognize that the best solution to a problem does not come immediately, but after a long search.

A long incubation period can be stressful because you have no idea when inspiration will come and the deadline is tight. Good ideas just don't have time to be born.

Team after solo

Basically, brainstorming is when you continuously think about solving a problem for a while. In this case, it doesn't matter if it happens in a team or alone.

Take time to think about the question, and you can work freely, without fear of being misunderstood or judged by your colleagues. This frees up and stimulates creativity, and an unlimited time will help you calmly go through the incubation period.

It is recommended that you come to a team brainstorming session after some thought: one or two ideas are enough. Research from the University of Toronto has shown that team brainstorming is more lively and active when the participants are prepared.

Tips for Productivity Brainstorming

Here's what can help make team brainstorming more effective:

Free talk. Sometimes the discussion can drift away from the subject. It is not worth punishing for this: we must not forget about the agenda, but a little humor and relaxation can inspire people to new ideas.
More time. Inspiration does not obey time, so you shouldn't force your brainstorming session into a time frame. It's foolish to disperse in two hours if you have a sea of ideas, lively discussion and new options appear. It is also unwise to hold out the assault until the prescribed hour or two, if no one has thoughts.
Lack of solution. I really don't want to end the meeting without deciding on a solution to the problem, but sometimes it is simply necessary. Often the results of the first brainstorming session are far from the best. By implementing them immediately, you are missing out on an opportunity to use something more thoughtful.
Relaxed atmosphere. Allow beer or any other light alcohol. This option isn't for everyone, but if your colleagues and you don't mind, then you can drink a little during the brainstorming session.

So, if you prepare well and give your team enough freedom, brainstorming can be valuable, but should not be seen as the only option.

On the contrary, a team will be an excellent addition to individual work on a problem, help to diversify your thoughts, listen to other people's ideas and arrange what was spinning in your head.