The set up:<\/strong> Tables of 5, each with a table facilitator.
\nMaterials:<\/strong> Post-it notes. Marker pens. Flip-chart paper.
\nSTAGE 1: Set-up and first layer of ideas<\/strong> [around 10 minutes]
\n1) \u201cWelcome to this brainstorm, which aims to answer the following question:\u00a0[insert an open, positive question, like \u201cWhat would make the biggest difference to [a desired future].\u201d<\/span>
\n2) \u201cI\u2019m going to create 2 [to 5] minutes of silence to for each person to write down their answers. By \u2018silence\u2019 I mean complete silence so each person can think privately.\u201d
\n3) \u201cWrite one idea per Post-it note. Print each idea big and clear using\u00a0a marker pen.\u201d [show example]<\/span>
\n4) \u201cWrite as many ideas as possible, even if they\u2019re bad or you\u2019re unsure about them or they might only make a little difference. Go for the maximum number of ideas you can think of.\u201d
\n5) \u201cBe concrete and specific. We\u2019re looking for word pictures that can be easily imagined. Avoid abstractions like ‘ownership’ or ‘engagement’. Talk about things you can see, touch, taste.”
\n“Table facilitators: when you spot a fuzzy idea, be prepared to say \u2018Yes, but what would that look like? Or \u2018Yes, but how could we do that?\u2019 Practice doing that now, so you can get in the groove.”
\n6) \u201cThen simply stick your ideas down, offering a few words as you go. There is no need to justify or explain your ideas, simply state them.\u201d
\n7) \u201cDo not judge other people\u2019s ideas. But feel free to make positive \u2018Yes, and\u2026\u2019. comments that add to them.\u201d
\nSTAGE 2: Add a playfulness rule <\/strong>[around 5 minutes]
\nOnce all the Post-it notes are down, which should only take 2 to 5 minutes, repeat the question, except this time add a playfulness rule. This helps draw out those seemingly unsafe, left-field ideas that are often essential to create solutions to\u00a0problems which aren’t being solved by business as usual.<\/span>
\n8) “Now please repeat the same question, except\u00a0this time we’ll add\u00a0a playfulness rule* to enhance your creativity: [insert the playfulness rule here]<\/span>.
\n“Once again, let’s practice 2 minutes of silence to gather our thoughts. Then just stick\u00a0the new ideas down amongst\u00a0the first set.”<\/p>\n

* Examples of playfulness rules (choose just one):
\n<\/span>\u201cImagine you\u2019re eight years old.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cYour manager should think you\u2019ve lost the plot.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cYou can break the rules of physics.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cYou have unlimited time\/money\/volunteers to help you implement the idea.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cNo matter what idea you come up with, your funder with love it.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u201cYou have a magic wand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n