By Tamara Bertram
There are two types of thinking to solve any problem: divergent and convergent.
Generally speaking, divergent thinking is all about brainstorming and generating many ideas, while convergent thinking narrows down ideas to come to a final solution.
Most brainstorming sessions do not produce the results you hope for because they blend idea generation and critique in the same conversation. This stifles creativity and leaves valuable ideas unspoken. In fact, 38% of employees hesitate to take initiative because they fear their ideas won’t be fully explored.
Here’s a simple yet effective strategy to boost creativity and morale:
Educate Your Team: Help them understand the difference between convergent and divergent thinking.
Idea-Generation Meetings: Dedicate specific sessions solely to brainstorming big ideas, without any immediate critique.
Evaluation Meetings: Reconvene or hold critique until later so you can assess ideas against your project goals and constraints.
This approach allows for uninhibited creativity followed by focused analysis, ensuring all ideas get the consideration they deserve.
About the Author: Tamara Bertram is our Innovation Training Specialist at UND Center for Innovation. Reach out to her at tamara.b@innovators.net
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