Brainstorm Alone First, Then Collaborate On The Execution

Getting a group together to brainstorm an idea can seem productive. But too many ideas can make progress impossible. To really get moving, give yourself time to come up with ideas, then rally the troops when it comes time to execute.

Picture: Hector Alejandro/Flickr

As productivity blog 99u points out, a group’s ability to collaborate is at its strongest when it comes time to execute. The team needed to generate ideas doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Begin by writing down your own ideas, then bring them to a small team to refine them. Don’t bother presenting to the entire team until you’re ready to assign jobs, lest the entire message get lost:

Trying to nail down a great idea in a large group of intelligent individuals can be unwise. For every reason to go forward with an idea, someone will think of a reason not to. By overanalyzing the concept, any progress gets paralysed.

…Collaborate with a maximum of three people so decisions can be finalised. Once you have a solid idea, then use teamwork to bring the idea to life.

Collaboration certainly has its place, but more than a couple voices in the room during a brainstorming session becomes noise. It can be difficult to even keep track of the ideas coming out, much less deal with all the conflicting viewpoints. When people know the plan and can figure out which part they will be working on, though, it gets a lot easier to work with others

Avoid Group-Think, Where Great Ideas Go to Die [99u]