How to Challenge Fixed Ideas Without Causing Problems With Working Relationships

In a brainstorming session, it’s important that team individuals are open-minded to suggestions and that they are prepared to see their ideas modified and tested against others, moreover, if the ideas suggested aren’t ideal, be sure to criticise the idea not the person, this will maintain an effective brainstorming session. When suggesting, or even criticising an idea, be sure to support it with data and facts, do not rely on feelings or assumption, and provide evidence to reinforce the claims. For a team to perform productively and efficiently, there must be an ethos of sharing data and information, amongst peers and various levels within an organisation. If information isn’t shared, then there is a risk of duplication and this will cause conflict, thus common goals will disappear. Another advantage of sharing information is that it increases team synergy, as each member feels involvement and adds their own contribution as well. 

Communication can be established face-to-face and non-face-to-face; however, the most effective way of communicating is by visual means with Pareto charts, production and process boards, spreadsheets, and drawings, all of these provide accuracy while speeding up understanding. In organisations, there are two types of data used, macro data and micro data. Macro data refers to totals, whereas micro data refers to individual items. It’s important to remember that increasing amounts of micro data being used to analyse processes in greater detail may not be advantageous, as this may cause an information overload. It should be noted that there is data for everything and lots of it can be used as key performance indicators (KPI’s).

 Learning Objectives:
 •    Identify how an effective brainstorming session should be carried out
 •    Examine why sharing data increases effectiveness and overall productivity
 •    Assess how data/information can be shared, and compare the two types of data