When someone asks me out for coffee (literally or figuratively), they often follow their invitation with this declaration. “I want to be a brainstorm facilitator.”
Like any occupation, a brainstorm facilitator is a valuable skill for the right personality. But if you’ve ever sat through a meeting run by a bad facilitator, you also know it’s also a lethal weapon in the wrong hands.
A successful brainstorm facilitator has several distinct qualities. They aren’t necessarily skills to teach as much as they’re inherent personality traits. You’re born with them – or you’re a really good actor.
If there’s a specific skill to teach, it’s juggling. The very best brainstorm facilitators do all ten skills at the same time.
That said, I don’t know many full-time brainstorm facilitators – myself included, at any point in my career.
But, I do think it’s a great additional capability to have, especially in larger organisations which need a helpful, skilled guiding hand to generate better idea generation.
10 Qualities of a Good Brainstorm Facilitator
I’ve also tried to put the list in roughly the proper order, but you could change my mind.
Protective Immediately establishes a constructive environment of trust that protects ideas from negativity, ridicule and presumptive criticism.
Collaborative Bring people together, to elicit productive conversations that create ideas and concepts. Treats everyone with equality, regardless of status or expertise.
Positive, with a good sense of humor Acts as the engaging dynamo for the meeting without ever overwhelming the participants. Ignites imaginations with their enthusiasm. Keeps attention and momentum high, often by using humor and laughter, until the meeting is finished.
Resourceful Plans for the worst, doesn’t plan for the best. Organised in advance. Handles logistics and administration with discretion.
Structured Focused always on accomplishing the meeting’s objectives in the time allotted. Guides with the rules of the brainstorming, enforcing them gently but swiftly.
Flexible Surprises are handled as expected. Thinks fast on the feet. Breaks any rule by switching gears and changing direction if they think the atmosphere can be improved.
Sensitive A good listener, for both spoken ideas and tacit thoughts. Balances extroversion and introversion in the participants, without robbing either of their strengths. Reads body languages tactfully and empowers people to speak comfortably without fear of risk or rebuttal.
Creative They themselves are creative. Is every idea good? No, but they understand the process, perhaps more so the alchemy of producing good creative ideas. Doesn’t ever force their own ideas on to the group unless they have the group’s full approval to do so. And certainly never their opinions.
Perseverant Things will go wrong or not as planned, but never loses their optimism or their cool.
Brings closure Without becoming the decision maker or task master, they are responsible for bringing the group together at the end, to a solution, to a series of options to test, or to a mutually agreed conclusion. This always includes a set of activities, a calendar for completion, and articulated roles and responsibilities.
Are there other traits or qualities that you’d suggest are required of a good brainstorm facilitator? Please add your comments and thoughts below.
No comment yet, add your voice below!