Working Together | Brain Storms

~ Adapted from the article "Partnering for High Impact" by Cassandra O'Neill from the CharityChannel LLC(2) highlighting the 'seven norms of collaboration'(3).

The tools we use every day in Youth On Purpose to help us learn and grow make us a learning community. We collaborate and organize this program as a community engaged in reflection in action. Here are seven skills/norms for consideration -

#1 Spirit of Inquiry: Promote a culture or community of learning. Explore what people mean rather than making assumptions.

#2 Pausing: A simple pause can allow time for reflection. Learning comes from reflecting, not only from doing.

#3 Paraphrasing: During the POCC training, we explore the use of dialogue and practice pacing back what a person has said. This is important to confirm that we heard what was said, and that what was said was actually meant.

#4 Probing: Ask for more details and clarification to increase understanding.

#5 Putting Ideas on the Table: One of the principals of successful brainstorming is that no criticism is allowed. Our creativity is unleashed when we focus exclusively on generating ideas.

#6 Paying Attention to Self and Others: Watch and listen to how people are responding and reacting, and adapt the conversation to positively impact the group.

#7 Presuming Positive Intentions: People can get caught up in perceiving negative intentions for a behavior they are noticing. When people make assumptions without checking, and then report negative intentions as fact, it can lead to misunderstandings which are not based in reality.


Brainstorming & the Creative Process

State clearly that you are brainstorming, i.e., "Please reserve criticism until . . ."

Putting ideas on the table allows for the best thinking of a group and incorporates many perspectives and experiences. Criticism can really inhibit creativity. Keeping this in mind can result in more creative decision making and higher impact. Nothing is evaluated, put down, or thrown out. You can even toss in a few humorous or ridiculous ideas to ease tension.

The rule for brainstorming is "anything goes". If you really can't accept an idea for some reason, remember norm #7. Simply suggest "That's one idea. What are some others?" When people appear stuck, encourage the group in a way that promotes a stretch in awareness or thinking. Be patient. Allowing for things to emerge is the key to meaningful conversations. Allow others to figure out what to do rather than tell them what you think they should do (1)(3).

Please refer to the bottom of the blog for links to further information.