Time needed: 30 minutes
Preparation:
Prior to the meeting ask people to come prepared with 3 “strengths” and 3 “improvables” they have for your team.
Prepare a chart or document with two columns. Label the left column “strengths,” the right column “improvables.” Or, use an alternative variation like +/delta or “grows” and “glows.”
Enroll a chart-writer: Ask someone on your team to help you with recording everyone’s contributions.
Prepare a slide or chart that has written the “Ground Rules for Brainstorming.”
Contextualize: Set the context by saying something like
“As you know we’re on a mission to build trust and open communication on our team and across the organization. One great way to do that is by fostering a constructive space to talk about our strengths and improvables as a team. To do that, I’m going to facilitate a brainstorming session to elicit everyone’s feedback. Don't worry about solutions yet, we want to start by getting everyone's feedback out on the table.”
Ground: Introduce the ground rules:
“Everyone does brainstorming a little differently. I’ve created the following ground rules for this brainstorming session. Who’d like to volunteer to read them?”
“I want to stress the importance of creating a judgment free space. Sharing feedback can be scary as it is. Don’t worry, you’re not going to hurt my feelings and I want to hear everything. Even the things you think are small or insignificant. Let’s hear it all. We’re going to save conversation and problem solving for later. For now it’s just about building a list with everyone’s feedback.”
“Before we go forward, would anyone like to propose an addition or change to the ground rules we have here?”
Enroll: Enroll a chart-writer or note-taker (if you haven’t already)
“I need someone’s help with note-taking. Don’t worry, you’ll be able to add your ideas, too, at some point during the process.”
Clarify: Ask for clarifying questions
“We’re going to have 15 minutes for this session. Before we jump in, do you have any questions?”
Restate the purpose
“Again, this is about getting stronger as a team so we can build on what’s working and improve on what’s not. Everything you share is important to help us to grow as a team and show up better for one another.”
“Let’s get started.”
Facilitate the session
Apply the listening skill of “mirroring.”
Refer back to the “dos” and “don'ts” of brainstorming
Give a 2-minute warning before time is up
Give acknowledgment
“Wow, this is a really great list and I appreciate y’all sharing what’s on your mind. This kind of engagement is really important for us to grow as a team and be more effective in our work together.”
Plan for part 3
“The next step in this 3-step feedback process is to organize this list. Part 3 will be to bring it back to this group for further discussion and action-planning. Who’d like to talk through this list with me and prepare for part 3? Preparing will take us about 30-minutes. I need at least one volunteer.”
“Thanks again for everyone’s contributions. I’ll schedule a follow-up meeting for part 3 in the coming days.”
Reflection: Elicit takeaways
Closing appreciation
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