Groupthink: You’re doing it wrong.

A simple guide to group ideation.

All it takes is one.

• Planning is not enough• You must control the environment• Always work toward your end goal

One person can Leeroy Jenkins your entire session.

If you already know, why bother?

EX:• Land new contract with “X” through 2016• Brave ideas to pitch next Wednesday• Solve customer service problem

Your goal should not be a specified result like “create a Twitter campaign”.

Supplement your core group with randomness.

Allow time for introverts.

• Send out an email ahead of time• Explain the problem, the expected result and why

you chose them to participate• Give them time to think

“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” 

Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Must… have… *gasp* Red Bull.

• Make sure you have coffee, tea, water, protein… whatever gives you wings

• Loosen up, relax, have a friggin' beer, have some fun, laugh

• Give them toys

“Everything starts with energy.”Dave Gray, Gamnestorming

Create structure, then enforce it.

• Many great ideas for gamestorming online• Make sure everyone is getting a turn• Use “time” to facilitate structure

“Without structure, ones mind mouth runs amuck.” ~ Homeless dude on Locust

Allow time for introverts.

Shut the f*ck up.

• You are the facilitator• You will NOT participate• You will NEVER steer the participants

The word “Listen” contains the same letters as the word “Silent”. ~ Alfred Brendel

Allow time for introverts.

Never discount.

• If a solution poses a new challenge, write it down• Some solutions are ahead of their time• Discounting even terrible ideas discourages

participation

“People who say there are no bad ideas don’t have 12 year old daughters on Snapchat.”

Some genius (follow him @chrisfeix)

Allow time for introverts.

Wrap it up on time.

• Don’t be “that guy”• Give it more time to wrap up than needed• People like closure

“Meetings are like condoms. If you don’t wrap it up on time they can turn messy.”

Some genius (follow him @chrisfeix)