You're leading remote brainstorming sessions. How can you ensure every team member feels heard and valued?

When conducting a brainstorming session, whether remote or in-person, it's essential to establish and share basic rules with all participants, ensuring they understand them. To be inclusive and encourage participation from everyone, it's crucial to actively listen to all opinions, even those you may not agree with. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where all voices are heard and valued.

Managing any meeting is not done by asking if anyone has a question or comment. In some cultures, it is best practice to shut up, not show off. As the meeting chair, point to a person around the table. Say something like: Mary, I really like to hear your opinion.

To ensure every team member feels heard and valued during remote brainstorming sessions, establish a structured yet flexible environment. Begin by setting clear guidelines and expectations for participation. Use tools that allow for equal contribution, such as collaborative whiteboards or shared documents. Encourage active participation by specifically inviting quieter members to share their thoughts, and ensure you acknowledge and build upon their ideas. Creating smaller breakout groups can also help more reserved individuals feel comfortable sharing. Lastly, follow up with a summary of the session, highlighting contributions from all members to reinforce their value and input.

This is definitely difficult in a new hybrid environment that we are living in. But if you think back to when we were in person there was involvement from employees that are extroverted and who have no problems speaking up whereas others do not. This is the same thing that is happening in a hybrid environment. I set ground rules but I also allow employees to express ideas in the chat, or reach out to me directly. I always give credit when credit is due! Allow employees to get their ideas across in the manner they feel the most comfortable with. I also provide an open door policy and leave the conversation saying “if you think of something after this call or would like to talk to me 1:1 reach out”. Simple.

In addition to setting ground rules, it's beneficial to assign roles such as a facilitator to manage the flow of the session and a note-taker to document ideas. This structure helps keep the brainstorming focused and ensures that all contributions are recorded. Encourage active listening and remind participants to build on each other’s ideas. Regularly check in to ensure everyone is engaged and feels heard. This approach not only enhances the quality of the brainstorming session but also strengthens team cohesion and collaboration.

First, the size of the group with which I want to conduct a remote brainstorming session matters. For larger teams, different formats should be used. For example, the team could split into small groups to tackle different questions and then bring their ideas together in the larger group. Tools like digital whiteboards are useful for giving everyone an easy way to creatively contribute to the overall project.

To maximize the benefits of these tools, ensure all participants are familiar with them before the session. Offer a brief tutorial or a practice run to address any technical issues and make everyone comfortable. Encourage participants to explore features such as sticky notes, drawing tools, and commenting functions on shared platforms. Integrating these tools seamlessly into the session can lead to more dynamic and interactive brainstorming, fostering creativity and collaboration across the team. Furthermore, recording the session can be useful for revisiting ideas and ensuring no valuable insights are lost.

In addition to online whiteboard tools where everyone is able to contribute, ensure that there are sections of the brainstorming where breakout functions are utilized, as well as polling. The most important thing is to have a variety of uses of technology that speak to the variety of users and participants. Each personality will respond differently according to the tool of engagement. Within an hour, it's a wise choice to utilize at least three functions (polling, white-boarding, breakout rooms).

Technology is making it easier to contribute synchronously and asynchronously using whiteboards. This way ideas can be added later—great for introverts and for different time zones. Using breakout rooms is effective to keep the engagement going and to have the participants learn more about each other essentially if they are from different locations. Hands up is respectful when determining who wants to share and contribute using voice. Using polls watching the words come on the screen and form a word cloud ensures contribution from all and gives some anonymity. Technology also makes it easier to change sticky note colours and group them when refining ideas after a brainstorming session. Technology is making like easier for teams.

Utilize collaborative tools like video conferencing, digital whiteboards, and real-time chat to facilitate participation. Ensure everyone has access to these tools and knows how to use them, creating an inclusive environment where every team member can contribute effectively.

As a leader, it is our duty to facilitate brainstorming sessions effectively. This involves creating a comfortable environment that gives participants the confidence to speak up and share their ideas. By encouraging creativity and collaboration, we can help our team members express their thoughts and work together innovatively. Our role is to nurture this process, ensuring everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute.

One simple technique for facilitation is to have the previous speaker nominate the next speaker. In this way, the choice isn't influenced by our own biases or choices. Additionally, by letting the speaker choose the next one, we are empowering and handing over the responsibility to the group. One way to involve quieter members is to ask questions with multiple options where users utilize the chat to give an answer (ex: 1 for yes, 2 for no, 3 I need more time to think).

As a facilitator, set clear objectives for the session and periodically summarize key points to maintain focus. Use prompts or questions to stimulate thinking and keep the momentum going. If the discussion veers off-topic, gently steer it back. Additionally, recognize and acknowledge contributions to build a positive and supportive atmosphere. Creating breakout groups for smaller discussions can also help quieter members feel more comfortable sharing their ideas. By actively managing the session, you ensure a productive and engaging brainstorming experience for all participants.

Every brain in the game! I make it my mission to guide the discussion, ensuring everyone gets a chance to contribute. It's about more than just managing the conversation - it's about creating an environment where every voice matters. I pay close attention to who's speaking and who isn't, gently encouraging quieter team members to share their thoughts. Sometimes, I'll use techniques like direct questions or breakout rooms to draw out different perspectives. Remember, it's not just about hearing from everyone; it's about making sure each person feels their input is genuinely valued and considered. This approach takes more effort, but the payoff in team engagement and the quality of ideas generated is worth it.

As a facilitator my role is to monitor the energy, keep it high, ensure everyone is having a good time and participating. It’s about the participants and ensuring they have their say. My role is to step in when required, whether it’s guiding the agenda or keeping to time or ensuring the rules are followed. It’s about keeping it fun, light and respectful and the energy high, while achieving the goals of the brainstorming session.

To further promote diversity of thought, consider rotating the role of facilitator to give different team members the chance to lead discussions. This can bring new dynamics and fresh approaches to the brainstorming process. Additionally, periodically inviting external guests or experts can infuse new perspectives into the session. Encourage an atmosphere of curiosity where questions and constructive challenges are welcomed. This openness to diverse ideas not only boosts creativity but also strengthens the team’s problem-solving capabilities and adaptability.

I can't overstate the value of diverse thinking in brainstorming. It's the key to unlocking your team's full potential. Encourage everyone to share unique perspectives, even if they seem unconventional. I've seen 'out-there' ideas spark major breakthroughs. Create an environment where people feel safe voicing all ideas. True diversity goes beyond visible differences – it's about leveraging varied experiences and thinking styles. By celebrating this diversity and showing you value different viewpoints, you're not just improving brainstorming. You're fostering an inclusive culture that drives long-term success. Remember, embracing diverse thought isn't just good practice – it's a competitive advantage in today's business landscape.

Representation matters, and empathy is key when listening to diverse ideas. Empathy is truly understanding and connecting with the needs, desires, and ways of thinking of others. It is the best path to reaching common goals. We all have had different experiences getting to where we are now, and we can all take advantage of each member's unique insights and POV. Listening with empathy provides an open mind to help the team collaborate effortlessly.

I try to invite multiple disciplines to our brainstorming sessions. This helps bring new perspectives to the discussion. It also fosters friendships in the company as well as internal connections that benefit everyone.

Diversity is key. Different views are crucial to an effective brainstorming session. Using multiple brainstorming techniques helps with this, and that’s where technology can help. For instance using polls that create word clouds. Using breakout rooms each with their own whiteboard and then having different teams in each room to provide different perspectives. Sometimes I play devils advocate when the views are too similar to see if I can stimulate different perspectives. This helps. Also having rules where you can add to or add differently to an idea rather than repeating an existing idea. It’s important to keep diversity at the top of participants minds for an effective brainstorming session.

Follow-up is key to any meeting. We have to remind ourselves of the purpose of brainstorm meetings is to bring about action points and as the facilitators of the meeting, we need to keep the inertia moving. Think about RACI (responsible, accountable, consulting, informed). What are the action points that need to happen after the meeting? Who is responsible for them? When do they need to happen? Potentially set up a check-in for these action points to be responded and checked off using an online platform of your choice for project management.

In your follow-up, include detailed action items assigned to specific team members with deadlines to maintain accountability. Encourage ongoing dialogue by inviting feedback on the brainstorming process and suggestions for future sessions. Keeping an open line of communication helps address any concerns and continuously improve the effectiveness of these meetings. Recognize and celebrate early successes resulting from the brainstorming session to further motivate the team. This approach not only solidifies the session's value but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.

Set Clear Guidelines: Establish rules for participation, such as no interrupting and encouraging all voices. Use Breakout Rooms: Divide larger groups into smaller breakout sessions to ensure more intimate and manageable discussions. Assign Roles: Designate a facilitator, timekeeper, and note-taker to keep the session organized and on track. Utilize Technology: Use collaboration tools like virtual whiteboards (e.g., Miro, Jamboard) and polling features to gather input. Encourage Equal Participation: Actively invite quieter members to share their thoughts and rotate who speaks first. Anonymous Input Options: Allow team members to submit ideas anonymously via chat or dedicated tools to reduce pressure.

Consider implementing a recognition program where exceptional ideas and contributions are regularly highlighted. This can be done through team meetings, newsletters, or a dedicated appreciation board. Personalize your acknowledgments to reflect the specific impact of each contribution, showing genuine appreciation. Encourage peer recognition to build a supportive and inclusive team environment. By consistently valuing and celebrating individual efforts, you reinforce the importance of everyone's role in the team's success and inspire ongoing creativity and collaboration.