Everyone knows that brainstorming is a great way to come up with a solution to a problem as a group. However, brainstorming isn’t a perfect process and can sometimes be difficult for some personalities. Research has found that while group-brainstorming sessions are great to get extroverts into their creative groove, they can actually be stifling for an introvert. So Chilli embarked upon a team building session to help us “get” each other a little better.
Firstly we learnt the difference between Introverts, Extroverts and Ambiverts and how each preferred different environments in order to be more creative. Then we split ourselves into 3 teams (Extroverts, Introverts and Ambiverts) to complete a set task. As you can imagine the results were pretty entertaining – See the video below.
What is an introvert and what is an extrovert?
It’s not all black and white, there is no such thing as a pure introvert or a pure extrovert. Instead we all exist on a spectrum with Ambiverts in the dead centre, (Ambiverts are people who are neither introverted or extroverted but have a balance in between).
Many people think that extroverts are outgoing and introverts are shy. This is a misconception, the traits are actually referring to how we are stimulated by the environment around us. Extroverts require more stimulation from the world in order to feel alert and awake, while introverts are easily over stimulated and find themselves seeking out quiet environments. To maximize an introverts talents they prefer to be in quiet environments, but most workplaces now days are keyed up to suit a more extroverted way of doing things with noisy open plan offices.
So based on all of this information the logical conclusion would be to let the extroverts brainstorm loudly together and let the introverts sit quietly on their own but we all need each other. We make each other’s ideas better by challenging them. So how do we have a group brainstorm that can get the most out of both our introverts and extroverts?
- Give the brief the day before.
- Take turns talking.
- Write down EVERY idea.
- Don’t criticise a “bad idea.
- Don’t repeat yourself.
- Don’t stop at the first good idea.
- Don’t make a decision then and there.
Chilli learning to Brainstorm together. Click here to see the activity Chilli was given!