O que você faz se as sessões de brainstorming da sua equipe em Liderança Servidora forem improdutivas?

Clear goals are a must to ensure the team is aligned on what they are striving to achieve. An alignment on the goals will make sure the process is already half done. Setting ground rules is also equally important to ensure how effectively team collaborates. Also ensures feedbacks are shared constructively. In case of conflicts, how best it can be addressed can also be jorted and agreed upon as part of ground rules. Servant leadership is a mindset and the team should support each other and work towards the agreed interest of the session.

As a Servant Leader, begin by engaging with team members to understand their perspectives and concerns regarding the brainstorming process. Collaboratively establish clear goals for the session, ensuring alignment with the team’s overarching mission and values. Invite input from team members to co-create ground rules that promote mutual respect, active listening, and equitable participation. By involving the team in setting the agenda and expectations, you empower them to take ownership of the process and feel invested in its success.

Setting clear goals and rules is paramount in ensuring productive brainstorming sessions within a Servant Leadership framework. Without clear objectives, participants may struggle to focus their ideas, leading to disjointed discussions and wasted time. I believe it's crucial to establish specific goals for each brainstorming session. These goals should outline what we aim to achieve and provide a framework for our discussions. Additionally, clear rules and guidelines help maintain order and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute. By setting expectations upfront and creating a structured environment, we can maximize the effectiveness of our brainstorming sessions.

First, you must always create an atmosphere that lets all participants know their input is valuable, a psychological safety zone. There are no "dumb" ideas, often a couple "dumb" ideas can be combined to offer a solution. You may also have a team member that is making others feel unappreciated. That type of team member may need to be counseled outside the group, or removed, if their attitude appears to be bottling up the collaborative thinking of the group. Keep the goals and expectations of the group at the forefront, direct and redirect the focus, to coming up with possible solutions/options of what is trying to achieved.

Inclusive methods are essential for fostering creativity and innovation within the team. As a Servant Leader, I encourage the use of diverse and inclusive methods to ensure that all voices are heard and valued during brainstorming sessions. This means actively seeking input from team members with varying backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise. By incorporating different viewpoints, we can uncover new insights and generate more innovative ideas. Furthermore, inclusive methods help build trust and collaboration within the team, leading to a more cohesive and productive brainstorming process.

For unproductive team brainstorming sessions in Servant Leadership, ensure that sessions are well-facilitated with a clear objective. Encourage active participation by creating a safe space for idea sharing and employ different brainstorming techniques. Follow up with actionable steps.

Demonstrate genuine curiosity and empathy by asking open-ended questions that invite deeper reflection and dialogue. Encourage team members to share their thoughts, feelings, and insights openly, without rushing to judgment or premature conclusions. Practice active listening and seek to understand the underlying motivations and concerns driving each individual’s contributions. By cultivating a culture of inquiry and exploration, you promote a growth mindset and foster continuous learning and development within the team.

I agree that the general open-ended question can facilitate unblocking a brainstorming session, which has gone cold. I also find it useful to specifically invite the participant less close to the core subject of the session to consider how they would approach the issue, if it was their problem. This usually brings very different or sometimes even the most obvious aspects into the dialogue, which is subsequently reignited.

When a group gets together to brainstorm, the main goal is to solve a problem. Sometimes, the usual ways of fixing things just don't work. That's when asking lots of questions and being open to any answers without worrying about getting in trouble can help. This often leads to new ideas, especially from the people who are actually doing the work.

Open ended and probing questions give the participants an opportunity to express freely their ideas as you get to direct them to the point of interest of the training. This gives room for active participation and personal ideas to be heard instead of Yes or No answer questions which are not illustrative to the participants.

Adopt a coaching mindset by offering supportive feedback that focuses on growth and development. Acknowledge the efforts and contributions of team members, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement. Provide specific and actionable feedback that helps individuals refine their ideas and enhance their effectiveness as collaborators. Celebrate achievements and milestones collectively, reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared purpose. By serving as a catalyst for personal and professional growth, you empower team members to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the team’s success.

Many times one feedback like our objectives are too vague and don’t provide a strong motivating action. Our feedback could and should be highly specific and largely wrapped in aspirational tones. “I know you’ve got more in you, therefore the next time I’d like us to see a specific XYZ outcome.”

Feedback and recognition play a vital role in motivating team members and reinforcing positive behaviors during brainstorming sessions. As a Servant Leader, I make it a priority to provide timely and constructive feedback to participants, acknowledging their contributions and encouraging continued engagement. Positive reinforcement helps boost morale and confidence, inspiring team members to share their ideas more freely. Additionally, recognizing individual efforts fosters a sense of belonging and ownership, empowering team members to take ownership of the brainstorming process and drive meaningful outcomes.

Following up and taking action is essential for turning ideas generated during brainstorming sessions into tangible results. As a Servant Leader, I understand the importance of accountability and follow-through. After each brainstorming session, I encourage the team to prioritize and assign action items based on the ideas generated. By establishing clear next steps and deadlines, we can ensure that progress is made and momentum is maintained. I believe in periodically reviewing and revisiting previous ideas to track progress and identify areas for improvement. By taking decisive action and demonstrating a commitment to execution, we can transform our brainstorming sessions into catalysts for meaningful change and innovation.

To create a comfortable and enjoyable working atmosphere, it is important to adopt an open and facilitating approach. As a manager, it is essential to build trust with your team and make them feel like family members. Additionally, it is crucial to maintain a balance between work schedules and ensure that your team is on track to achieve their milestones. To ensure that your team is successful, you must remove all impediments that hinder their work, tasks, and progress. Clear communication is crucial in avoiding conflicts and resolving issues quickly. Ultimately, it is your responsibility as a servant leader to remove all impediments and support your team as a friend and family member finally as manager.

As an Agility Lead, by embracing the principles of Servant Leadership and applying them to the context of team brainstorming sessions, you can cultivate a culture of collaboration, innovation, and growth that empowers team members to reach their full potential and achieve collective success.

I'm confused, is Servant Leadership the topic or are we a group of servant leaders brainstorming about some undisclosed topic? Either way maybe the problem isn't how we go about it but that either the topic or group isn't worthwhile and should be dropped or disbanded respectively... Great brainstorming sessions are achieved when a worthwhile topic is discussed among those whom the topic concerns. If you have that you shouldn't even need to have a great facilitator present.

When team brainstorming sessions in a servant leadership context aren't productive, it's essential to reassess and adapt your approach. Ensure a safe environment for diverse perspectives, clarify objectives, use structured techniques, set ground rules, rotate roles, encourage breaks, capture ideas, reflect, and consider using anonymous suggestions for broader participation. Summarize the main ideas discussed, highlight actionable takeaways, assign responsibilities, and set deadlines to ensure follow-up. Encourage commitment and ongoing collaboration. Remember that servant leadership is about supporting the growth and development of your team. Be open to feedback and willing to adjust your approach to better meet the needs of your team.