It seems that everything has been said about brainstorming. However, there are always exciting nuances to be discovered. Have you ever wondered how the human factor affects the process of generating ideas? Meanwhile, it can make it completely useless if you don’t consider people’s different approaches to the creative process. Brainstorming is used in various fields, such as business, deciding on a future profession, and many often use brainstorming if you have a question “how to write my papers?”. We identified the 5 main psycho types in brainstorming and told you how to work with them. What came out of it – read the article.
Brainstorming is one of the TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) methods. You can learn more about this theory and learn how to develop your creativity and solve complex problems using non-standard approaches in our online program “TRIZ in practice.”
1. Ghost
Some people prefer to keep a low profile. Is it insecurity? Lack of ideas? Have they lost their voice? No one knows this because they are silent. When asked, they often refer to other brainstormers: “Yes, I agree with him,” “I think so too.” More often than not, Ghosts are ignored.
It’s a shame because sometimes Ghosts get a thought that psycho types like “The Boss” and “The Wizard” have never thought about. In this case, the definition of “Ninja” is more appropriate for them. It is most likely because the shadows have time to analyze the situation. They don’t spout off all their ideas like other, more active people do.
Advantages:
- Take notes, observe and analyze from the outside;
- Recognize patterns in ideas.
Disadvantages:
- Will not ask for help if the task is unclear;
- Are afraid to express “crazy” ideas;
- Takes energy away from more engaged employees.
What to do about them?
- Offer compliments to get them out of their shells;
- Use quiet/anonymous brainstorming techniques such as brainstorming, in which they write down ideas before they talk about them;
- Create small groups with a stable composition, so they are not shy;
- Try to give them a more substantial role in selecting ideas, which is often more to their liking.
2. Wizard
Magicians tend to come up with lots of ideas out of thin air. As if by magic. They’re just not afraid to be creative, and their brains are wired to generate ideas.
Magicians are usually very visible. They are excited by creativity, active, and spinning like a whirlwind. They are generally pretty friendly, but they may defend their ideas aggressively because they think they are the best.
Advantages
Their ideas are more creative than other psycho types;
Their energy is contagious.
Disadvantages
Come up with a lot of irrelevant ideas that clutter up precious findings;
It can be creatively demoralizing to Ghosts and Critics.
It can be a distraction for Ghosts and Bosses.
What to do with them?
- Having a Wizard is a prerequisite for quality brainstorming. So if you don’t already have one, look for one right away.
- Be careful not to abandon the rest of the group with their far-reaching ideas. Make sure that the other psycho types fully embrace all their ideas.
- Wizards can forget that they are brainstorming for a specific task. They get caught up in their creative process. Periodically remind them of your purpose.
3. Bosses
Who’s the Boss here? Well, hopefully, you’re the brainstormer. However, there may be Bosses of a different sort among other session participants. Like Wizards, they’re easy to spot in a group. And just like Wizards, Bosses defend their ideas. But not because these people are so creative. They want (often unconsciously) to lead the process. They try to put it in their frame of reference.
Nevertheless, Bosses can be very helpful in the later stages of brainstorming: selecting and evaluating ideas. If decisions need to be made, they will always be there. They are people of action.
Advantages
- Results-oriented;
- Good at evaluating and selecting ideas;
- Great for presentations.
Disadvantages
- Trying to convince other participants that their idea is the only right one;
- If two or more bosses are in a group, they get competitive and figure out better. The result is an argument rather than a brainstorming session.
What to do about them?
- Try talking to the Boss before the session. Explain to him that their leadership and pressure can be oppressive to other participants. In most cases, he will take it as a compliment;
- Give them a specific task during the session. Something that only they can do. That way, they won’t get in the form of the rest of the group.
- Keep yourself in control. You are the Facilitator. Stand firm, but remain friendly.
4. Helper
Helpers are your friends. At least they try to be. They do everything they can to help you have a successful session. They are not as interested in the outcome as in the process itself. Often their activity can alienate them from the rest of the group.
Advantages
- Offer interesting new ideas and methods on how to improve the session;
- Happy to try new brainstorming techniques;
- Very diligent in helping with the organization of the session.
Disadvantages
- Can interfere with the facilitator and delay work;
- If the Assistant spends more time on the facilitator than the team, the latter will have less synergy.
What to do about them?
- Make sure the Helper keeps in touch with other team members. Keep bringing him back to the team.
- Give the Helper his particular assignment to make him feel flattered, or even better: give him a group assignment.
5. Critic
These are the participants the presenters fear the most. The Critic doesn’t believe in this brainstorming session, this team, this method, you, this company, the whole world. And the Critic isn’t too shy about letting people know that. The nemesis of the creative session!
You may wonder, “What is the Critic even doing in this session?” – That’s precisely what the Critic himself thinks. But skeptics exist for a reason, right? That’s right! Turn the challenge into an opportunity and use the Critic’s features to your advantage. Just as with the Boss, the Critic’s skill set comes into play in the evaluation phase of the session.
Benefits
- Not afraid to be honest;
- Can come up with alternative methods;
- Great for evaluation and selection.
Disadvantages
- Kill the energy in the team;
- Bosses may feel threatened by them.
What to do about them?
- Start the session by explaining that criticism is valuable, but get them to “save” it for the second phase of the session.
- Acknowledge their experience publicly, still distancing yourself from their criticism.
- Regulate the session. Explain the rules and make sure all participants follow them. The Critic should know the boundaries of what is permissible.
- As you prepare for the session, think about who to invite. Make sure there won’t be too many critics in the group. Or any critic at all!
Conclusion
The downside of many creative methodologies is that they do not consider the human psyche and its impact on the creative group process. Understanding psycho types in brainstorming will help better organize this process and not just level the human factor but also turn it to its advantage. By the way, this classification is also suitable for other creative techniques.
Bio:
Jeanna Bray is a person who finds the right words and forms of presentation to convey the benefits students get when addressing PaperHelp experts for research and writing assistance. You can hardly name a top-ranked copywriting course – free or paid – that she hasn’t attended while pursuing a BA in Digital Communication.
