Putting Structured Brainstorming to Work

The process we have examined is fairly straightforward, and if the rules of engagement are followed closely, the result can hardly help but be an improvement over the usual serial idea-criticize-idea-criticize approach adopted in most unstructured meetings. To get some experience using the technique, try the next exercise. 

The beauty of structured brainstorming is in its ruthless separation of the creative and critical components of the process, as well as its prevention of the leader-follower group dynamic. Practiced regularly, it can help boost die quantity and quality of the solutions created by any group with which you are associated. 

Apply structured brainstorming to the problem of finding engaging employment. 

In this chapter, we have considered the current popularity of forming teams in modern organizations in light of some of the obstacles and opportunities for so doing. 

We started by distinguishing between groups and teams by examining recent definitions from current teamwork research. One key difference is that working groups rely on individual contribution and accountability, whereas teams rely on combined effort and mutual accountability. These distinctions led to a discussion of team ground rules and how they help align expectations. 

---