The Key To Good Brainstorming

You have to have a good leader to have good brainstorming. The leader isn't there to impose his will, though, but to stop imposition of anyones will. His role is to stop criticisms, arguments, and even strong opinions, at least in first part of session.

A brainstorming session needs to be spontaneous, open and uncritical. "Bad" or "silly" ideas can lead to helpful ones, so suggestions have to be left un-judged at first. To brainstorm effectively, you can't stifle creative process. The leaders job, then, is to make everyone feel free to suggest any ideas.

An Example Of Good Brainstorming

On other hand, veteran who trained me didn’t spend much time with presentations or scripts. He simply told stories about clients who spared their loved ones great pain by getting proper coverage. Just as importantly, he talked about troubles suffered by people who did not have coverage. And, he sold a lot.

Which takes us to subject of purpose-driven story telling. I've bumped up against idea of it as a strategic communication skill several times recently, so maybe it's time to discuss it here.

For starters, let's distinguish between stories by talkers who believe world wants to know what they think about everything under sun, and stories told with express purpose of advancing an objective. Let's call latter 'strategic stories' (and you know what we call other kind).

You can use strategic stories to help your cause or project by figuring out, in advance, what you'll say and why you'll say it. In other words, before you make your speech or presentation, identify stories you'll use, and know why you'll use them.