Keeping the session flowing

- Every brainstorming session must begin with your goal. … You'll set up the session … by turning your goal into a question. … If you'll be conducting team brainstorming, … then you'll need to keep the ideas flowing … after you kick off the question. … The best way to keep ideas flowing … is to keep asking questions, and avoid making statements. … You want to keep the energy high … and the pace moving along comfortably. … This approach is called prompting, … and it's pretty straightforward. … As the session goes on, you'll prompt the participants … by saying things like, "What else, thanks, keep it coming, … more on that idea, who else, anyone else?" … Avoid compliments, … you don't want to say things like, "Great idea!" … Or, "I really like that one." … That breaks one of our four rules, since it passes judgment. … Even though it's good judgment, it'll shut the group down. … Pay careful attention to the way that you use prompts. … For example, who else makes it clear … that you're inviting others to participate. …