Brainstorming is useful if a leader or organization uses the technique effectively. I have been in brainstorming groups that generated ideas to solve problems, create a product, or develop new processes, and I have been in brainstorming groups that were a waste of my time. Brainstorming is an idea-generating activity that is an effective technique designed to enhance the creative potential of any group trying to solve a problem.
When holding a brainstorming session, establish rules and norms for the session. Some examples of rules are no criticism of anyone's ideas, no complaining; everyone participates, idea piggybacking allowed, etc. The brainstorming session should be a positive atmosphere that generates positive energy to where people feel comfortable presenting ideas, no matter how outlandish the idea presented. Employees and people should feel the leader and the organization are listening. People desire to feel appreciated. So, appreciate them! There should not be an abundance of executives or leaders as part of the brainstorming session! Most people will not express their true ideas before executive leadership because they fear looking stupid. If you must put executives or leaders in the brainstorming session, employ them as note-takers or listeners, not participants. Brainstorming sessions should not have an agenda. Let the positive energy flow! Agendas can limit creativity sometimes.
Lastly, brainstorming allows an organization to utilize its employee workforce better and have more employee engagement. Employees can provide more information for improving the organization if they treat their employees as more of an asset with idea generation rather than as worker mule who knows how to do only their assigned job.
A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE CREATES POSITIVE ENERGY! POSITIVE ENERGY GIVES IDEA-GENERATION SYNERGY!