Brainstorming sessions

Start the session by exploring different ideas.

🤯😌Encourage Wild Ideas

Emphasize that there are no bad ideas. The more unconventional, the better. Creativity thrives when participants feel free to think outside the box.

👀👄 Defer Judgment

Hold back any criticism or negative feedback. Judgment stifles the creative flow, so keep it constructive and focus on building ideas.

💫Build on Ideas

Use “yes, and…” instead of “yes, but…” to expand on others’ ideas. Collaboration can take an initial thought to new, unexpected heights.

👻Stay Focused on the Topic

Keep discussions relevant and centered around the main goal to maintain productivity. Use a timer or a facilitator to guide the session back on track if necessary.

👇👇👇 Encourage Quantity Over Quality (at least initially)

The objective is to generate as many ideas as possible. High quantity often leads to high quality as you dig deeper into creative possibilities.

👨‍🚀🧑‍🎤🧑‍⚕‍One Conversation at a Time: Avoid side discussions and interruptions. Giving each idea the spotlight ensures everyone feels heard and valued.

🧠Embrace Diversity of Thought

Welcome participants with different perspectives and backgrounds. This variety can lead to more innovative and well-rounded solutions.

⏲Set Time Limits

Assign a specific amount of time for brainstorming sessions to keep the energy up and maintain a sense of urgency.

🎙Capture Every Idea

Write down every idea shared during the session. Even if it seems insignificant, it could spark further ideas or be developed later.

These rules help create a productive environment where participants feel encouraged to contribute and collaborate.

The importance of any idea, task, or initiative is not absolute—it’s always relative to the context of other things competing for attention, resources, or time. Think of it like priorities on a scale: something only becomes "more important" when compared to what else could be done instead.

When considering new ideas or things to do, it’s crucial to evaluate them against:

Then organize all your sticky notes base on the following criteria:

Without comparison, it’s easy to overvalue new ideas simply because they’re fresh and exciting, or undervalue existing work because it feels routine. However, by systematically comparing new ideas with what’s already in progress or under consideration, you ensure that your efforts are focused on the most impactful and strategic options.

This approach isn’t about dismissing creativity or innovation—it’s about ensuring that decisions are grounded in the reality of limited time, resources, and the need to maximize outcomes.