Brainstorming is played out. Does anyone really use it as a way to solve problems anymore? It seems as out-of-touch as dial-up modems and AOL. There must be better ways to solve problems while harnessing the power of a bunch of brains at once, but how?
Recent articles on Inc.com and Fast Company laud brainswarming, which is like brainstorming but without all the extroverts trying to talk over each other. A problem is presented, and everyone writes down their ideas and stuff. There’s more to it, but that’s it on the most basic level.
Brainswarming is great because during regular brainstorming sessions in the good ol’ conference room, the shyer people and introverts tended to keep their ideas to themselves, and their great ideas wouldn’t get heard. HSPs & introverts also prefer to ponder things for a while, rather than spouting ideas immediately.
This is a problem because, as the most awesome Susan Cain quote goes: “There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
(BTW, I didn’t even have to google that quote. True Susan Cain fangirl, right here.)
I like problem solving. I feel like figuring things out in my life is a brainteaser–a challenge. And I think that’s also why I like brainswarming. It’s a more efficient, smart way to solve problems.
If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend checking out the Inc.com and Fast Company articles.
Thanks to Catalina for telling me about brainswarming!
Awesome research… i read the articles.. eye opening..the approach is the one that is new… obviously the term has been around for a while. Even though sometimes extroverts “dont get” WHY? this innovation or updates are needed… i can see them quite simple, if the companies are missing on something and actually , finally, WANT to listen to the opinion of those who for different personality traits keep their opinions to themselves… a way to put them out there to work for them .. is allowing the tools and methods to bring them to the floor on a common ground.
Introverts dont like to be the center of attention.. nor the ones to talk on top of people. If a situation is getting awkward … chances are we withdraw from it to avoid confrontation.. when speaking.. or talking, chances are the ones that want to be “heard” are going to speak up… and when that happens..sometimes..it is easy to fall into not being that polite on a situation. And that is sometimes not productive.
I can say that first hand. My mom had a team meeting to “brainstorm” new ideas in how to come up with a solution at work. ( She is HSP, and a Professor at the Local University, with a Master’s Degree in Education ), BUT instead of listening to HER expertise in the field which is how to give classes online, remotely, they began speaking allllll sort of things.. for which they didnt have the slightest clue. Needless to say.. the brainstorming session was a failure.. everyone got upset and ended up screaming. My mom did an AWESOME essay, exposing the facts and realities the University was going through and at which point they were in starting off or NOT a project on a “down to earth” basis. Gathering the analisis of the reasources at hand and their effectiveness.Going all the way up to the economical impact and so on. Long story short. HSP’s kind of write more, analize and DO get their point out there. And if they DO have an area of expertise.. it will be foolish not to listen to them..
Neat concept AND I like the imagery of swarm movement. The Fast Company piece has options that may reduce vulnerability. I like all ideas going up on walls and parking there for awhile.But like you, Kelly, I prefer solving things solo 🙂
Genius idea! Actually, this is exactly why the Covid remote schooling thing has been so terrible. It’s too much brainstorming! Not only do kids and teachers talk over one another but the technology cuts people off too. Then there are the kids that are getting too overwhelmed with all of that going on and aren’t getting the learning that the need AND there are kids (often the same ones) that are not offering their ideas.
My HSP son has been struggling with all of that. He has actually done better on the days when they’ve had to do more “asynchronous” work and not done the whole jam it into a Zoom thing. He’s far more productive those days. We’ve been noting that online school (done right) could actually be more up his ally for his learning style.