#21: Boost idea generation by 10x with these 6 prompts

Today, I'll share with you 6 powerful generative prompts designed to spark innovation and elevate your team's brainstorming sessions by 10x. I will also share with you 3 steps to facilitate the session with your team.

In today's fast-paced world, fostering creativity within your team is essential for staying ahead. Back in 2010, an IBM survey of 1,500 CEOs revealed that 60% of them identified creativity as the most crucial leadership quality for the future . This underscores the importance of encouraging innovative thinking within our teams to propel our companies forward.

The Challenge: Mediocre Brainstorming Sessions

Despite the recognized importance of creativity, many brainstorming sessions fall flat. At their worst, they can even turn toxic. Why does this happen? One significant reason is a lack of planning.

Why most brainstorming sessions fail:

1. lack of clarity on the customer problem to be solved
2. Using verbs instead of nouns for brainstorming
3. Lack of generative prompts
4. Misunderstanding brainstorming as a chaotic shouting match
5. Stopping too soon and not pushing for quantity
6. No strategic warmups to shift a team into the right mindset

For this post, I am going to focus on #3: Lack of generative prompts. (I started writing about all 6 but the newsletter got WAY too long.)

The Power of Generative Prompts

The success of a brainstorming session hinges on the questions posed to the team. Asking a vague question like, "What ideas do you have?" often results in a deafening silence because it's too broad and unfocused. Instead, consider using targeted, generative prompts to guide the discussion.

6 generative prompts to elevate your brainstorming sessions

Let’s use a concrete example to showcase the 6 prompts.

Example: Volunteer retention in K-12 classrooms

A few years ago, I worked with a national non-profit focused on increasing the recruitment and retention of volunteers in K-12 classrooms. Their goal was to attract professionals to volunteer and teach students, and they needed fresh ideas to achieve this.

We ran a series of brainstorming sessions, using these six generative prompts to guide our discussions and generate innovative solutions.

The 6 Prompts

1. Amplify the Good

What is great about the current experience that we can elevate?

Example: Professionals always enjoy the in-person connection they feel with students. So, we could ask:

How might we enhance the value that professionals feel during their face-to-face contact with students, and create this experience even before they step foot into the classroom?

2. Remove the Bad

What is a pain point in the experience? What would happen if we completely removed it? Go for extremes here to push the brainstorming.

Example: Scheduling is always a pain. So, we could ask:

How might we eliminate the need to schedule professionals to volunteer in the classroom altogether?

3. Challenge the Status Quo

What is a clear and standard assumption about the experience? How can we challenge it?

Example: Teachers need to be present to manage the classroom. So, we could ask:

How might we create a classroom experience that doesn’t require a teacher's presence?

4. Create an Analogy

What are companies or experiences outside of your industry that we can leverage? Who else solves your problem in a similar way?

Example: Many modern software companies use subscription models and tiered services to attract and retain customers. So, we could ask:

How might we retain classroom volunteers similarly to how Netflix keeps users engaged with their streaming services?

5. Explore the Opposite

What is something that is true about the experience? What if we did the exact opposite?

Example: Teachers teach students. So we could ask:

How might we make a learning experience where students are in charge of teaching the classroom?

6. Use Adjectives

What are powerful adjectives to inspire the experience?

Example: Inspired by Brene Brown’s teachings on vulnerability. So, we could ask:

How might we create a brave and vulnerable classroom management experience?

How to facilitate the brainstorming session:

Step 1: Prepare “How Might We” (HMW) questions in advance

Begin by creating a set of "How Might We" (HMW) questions based on the 6 generative prompts. Involve your team members in this process to generate a wide range of questions. Aim to prepare 10-20 HMW questions to ensure you have plenty of options during your session.

Note: the HMW phrasing is very intentional:

• How: This signals a focus on concrete solutions, moving beyond the abstract or philosophical “Why.”
• Might: This word invites possibilities and openness, avoiding the pressure of should or must. It emphasizes exploration over finding the "right" answer.
• We: I didn’t say You or I. This emphasizes teamwork and collective effort, reinforcing that brainstorming is a collaborative process.

Step 2: Brainstorm using one prompt at a time

Allocate 2-5 minutes to brainstorm each HMW question. Display one question prominently on your whiteboard and let the team focus solely on that specific prompt. If a question isn't generating ideas, don't hesitate to switch to another one from your prepared list. Remember - you have 10-20 of them in your back pocket!

Step 3: Schedule regular breaks

Brainstorming can be mentally exhausting. Plan for breaks every 30-40 minutes to maintain high energy levels and creativity. Monitor your team's energy and adjust the schedule as needed to keep everyone fresh and engaged.

Summary

"How Might We" prompts are powerful tools for dissecting problems and generating creative solutions. By using these prompts effectively, you can make your brainstorming sessions more productive and reduce the risks of falling into unproductive patterns. Embrace the collective creativity of your team and watch as innovative ideas flow more freely.

Take Action

Now that you have these powerful tools at your disposal, it’s time to put them into practice. Start by preparing your "How Might We" questions and involve your team in this creative process.

Remember, the key to successful brainstorming lies in thoughtful preparation and intentional phrasing. Encourage your team to think broadly and push boundaries. Schedule your next brainstorming session today, and watch as these generative prompts unlock new levels of innovation and creativity within your team.

Don’t just read about it—take action and transform your brainstorming sessions into a powerhouse of ideas!