Management Tip of the Day: A Better Way to Brainstorm in Groups

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile NOVEMBER 16, 2012 A Better Way to Brainstorm in Groups Brainstorming has gotten a bad rap for leading to uncreative and even unhealthy consensus. But getting together to try out ideas and come up with new ones can promote collaboration and creativity, if done right. Here's how: Assemble a diverse team. Bring together people from different disciplines, cultures, and age groups. Be sure that some members have necessary and relevant expertise, but that some are naïve about the issue at hand. Be clear about who decides. If everyone in the room has to agree, you'll gravitate toward the lowest common denominator. Name the person who is ultimately responsible and establish that everyone else is there to offer up ideas and build on others. Let ideas live. At the end of the session, don't kill the ideas that didn't make it. Sometimes these lingering suggestions will make it into final concepts. Allow people to pick one and develop it further. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Yes, You Can Brainstorm Without Groupthink" by Vijay Govindarajan and Jay Terwilliger. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author Ebook Now Available Now with a new preface from author John Kotter, the refreshed edition of the international bestseller Leading Change is more relevant than ever. Millions worldwide have read and embraced John Kotter's ideas on change management and leadership. Needed more today than at any time in the past, Leading Change serves as both visionary guide and practical toolkit on approaching the difficult yet crucial work of leading change — in any type of organization. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Maintain Control When Conducting a Job Interview Make Your To-Do List Work If You Both Work, Stay Happy Help Your Multitasking Colleague Break the Habit Manage a Challenging (and Valuable) Employee When Working Hard, Make Time for Rest Prepare to Answer Customers' Toughest Questions Make the Most of a Bad Job Get to Know Your Unknown Audience Toss the Old Rules for Selling All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)