Alvin Lai

Or brainstorming.

Surely you have engaged in this activity either being tasked as a school/work project or unwittingly partaking in it whilst chilling with a companion over latté, enjoying and building upon each other’s random banter.

At times it would be so enjoyable and you’d just go on and on and on, seemingly churning out endless ideas that could be improved upon infinitely. On other occasions, it feels like a draining activity that sucks the life out of you, especially when its a compulsory sit-in activity that demands results.

Why? Because brainstorming is a tricky business that depends on attitudes.

In the class of Technology Entrepreneurship I’m enjoying at Stanford University, I have the privilege of exploring creativity and brainstorming from Tina Seelig, the Executive Director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program. The next section of this blog post would be based upon what I’ve found useful in the quest of successful brainstorming.

Rules and Tricks

No bad ideas

You’ve probably heard this one countless times, simply put, don’t judge ideas, whilst avoiding putting others down and psychologically stifling others, a thought might lead to an interesting related one, or potentially triggering something off the mark that could be a winning champion.

An extra take-away would be to bear in mind that currently unfeasible impossible ideas can lead to potentially powerfully paradigm shifting concepts, and that’s is what innovation is all about. This reminds me of Seth Godin suggesting marrying totally whacky concepts together.

Build on ideas

Expand on ideas, keep contributing to it, improving it without caring whether about its feasibility. It’s not the end goal that matters, but rather the thought process and the increased possibility of branching off to cool new thoughts.

No hiearchy, but take turns

It sucks to have the thought of offending your boss or your sweetheart lingering around, so get rid of that, come to a initial common agreement that we are all but flesh and bones, and no one’s more important than the other during that period of time. You can resume your role as the loving ever obliging boyfriend after then.

Whilst its liberating to be able to contribute without any psychological niceties, brainstorming isn’t a free for all slugfest, respect is still critical, ensuring that everyone’s opinion get heard, easing everybody into active contribution mode.

No conformity, conventions and limits

Get rid of the norms and social expectations.

Who said pigs can’t fly? Well they might float if you pump them with enough helium.

Don’t catch me on animal rights issues now! I’m only brainstorming!

No best idea, don’t limit potential

The inclination to cease improvement upon reaching the ultimate end goal naturally seeps in when we feel something at its current state is perfect.

How about try reframing the idea – like how can it be implemented in another way, medium or factor?

Wild ideas

While this wasn’t covered in class, not stopping at taboos might yield interesting results.

The facilitator and the honored participants

In some sessions, there’ll be someone who would be the person to invite others to come together for some good brain storming fun.

Keeping in mind that participants have great honor to be part of this activity simply because your view is unique, special and valued.

It’s not easy being a facilitator, because you’ll have to remain unbiased, steering participants without a personal agenda and reframing topics for maximum idea generation goodness. But you’ll get better with time and practice.

Additional Tips

Fun, playful, energetic upbeat music Unbolted furniture Act out ideas, role play Chocolates and caffeine are your best friend Post its, pass it on

Ending thoughts

The type of company matters. Surround yourself with positive, constructive people who are willing to give things a second thought. Whacky ideas seldom materialize with quick presuming wet blankets :)

Now. What do you think?