In his new book, Adam Grant examines the performance of teams. In this quote, he ponders why so many brainstorming sessions don’t work:
“When we’re confronting a vexing problem, we often gather a group to brainstorm. We’re looking to get the best ideas as quickly as possible. I love seeing it happen…except for one tiny wrinkle. Brainstorming usually backfires. In brainstorming meetings, many good ideas are lost – and few are gained. Extensive evidence shows that when we generate ideas together, we fail to maximize collective intelligence. Brainstorming groups fall so far short of their potential that we get more ideas – and better ideas – if we all work alone.
We are better off shifting to a process called brainwriting.”
Brainwriting, as Grant defines it, takes preparation. Team members must think through specific issues in advance prior to a collective gathering.
We call this process an “immersion.” Most of our clients have been through it with us. It is an intensive session in which we strive to resolve a very specific issue. Our intent is to move the needle – when the session is over, we’ll know we’ve moved the needle if we can see that we have advanced a solution that significantly improves the team’s performance. It is so exhilarating to move that sucker!
Does your team face a significant issue that needs resolution? Time for a brainwriting session? If so, call us to hear how our clients have used immersions to improve their team performance. Contact us to schedule a no-obligation call.
