How to Host Introvert-Friendly Brainstorming Sessions
- Adilla
- Jun 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11
A brainstorming session is a great place to find solutions from different perspectives and backgrounds. While the clashing of ideas or wanting to stand out might happen among the team members, what becomes a worry is when quiet or introverted team members have a hard time sharing their ideas in a group setting.
Lack of confidence may be the key reason why introverts would be struggling to keep up, but that’s usually not the case. Managers can try their best to uplift them or hype them up to speak up, but at times, it can take a toll on them.
So, as a manager, you can consider doing a brainstorming session away from the traditional method of verbally sharing in a group.
Table Of Contents
What is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming generally means the action or activity of generating ideas to either solve a problem or find improvements for your product strategy that can be done individually or in groups. While brainstorming alone is fine, it is encouraged to brainstorm in a group, which is sometimes a nightmare for introverts.
What are The Introvert-Friendly Brainstorming Methods?
When it comes to brainstorming with introvert team members, it’s essential to have a method where they can either be anonymous or indirectly contribute ideas without directing attention to them (which I’m sure a few introverts find scary).
Here are 6 Brainstorming Methods that Utilise Anonymity:
1. Brainwriting or Slip Writing
While this method may not be fully anonymous, being nonverbal is fine. This method requires each person to write down three ideas on three different slips of paper. Then, the paper will be passed to the person next to them to build on the idea, either adding to it or writing down a suggestion.
This continues until the slips of paper return to their owners. Then, the facilitator of the brainstorming session can choose to share the ideas, or the team members can discuss the ideas that have been written on paper.
However, keep in mind to keep it in a small team of less than 10 people, as it might get overwhelming or go over the scheduled time for brainstorming.
2. Collaborative Brainwriting
This brainstorming method would be suited not just for introverts but for teams having a tight deadline. The brainstorm facilitator will stick a paper on the wall or a collaborative app with the topic, issue or idea for everyone to contribute to on their own time throughout the week.
This will keep pressure off the team from trying to squeeze an idea on the spot, letting them ponder the idea at their own time. Remember to set a clear deadline so your team will know when to send in their idea before the sharing session starts.
3. Brain-Netting or Online Brainstorming
A suitable method for remote teams, in which brain-netting is a space for your team to dump ideas into a shared document or a communication channel that you have set up for your team to share ideas. It is recommended to use a project management tool to keep everything sorted.
This particular method doesn’t have a deadline or a specific problem to solve, unlike Collaborative Brainwriting, so the ideas in brain-netting will continue to evolve as the list grows. Of course, if you do have a deadline for a specific idea, do let your team know.
Thus, when there’s an idea that is shared that warrants a meeting, that’s where a more focused brainstorming session can commence.
4. Six Thinking Hats
As the name suggests, you need at least six people to conduct this method. Each ‘hat’ that the brainstormer wears looks at an idea from a specific angle. For example, one hat could be looking at the impact of the idea, and another hat would be looking at the constraints of the idea.
To know what will look at what angle, it will be dependent on the facilitator or what is required for the project or idea.
5. Round Robin Brainstorming
This method requires every single brainstormer to contribute one idea before discussing or sharing a second idea. This way, everyone has a chance to share their idea without getting cut off in a group brainstorm. While not as intensive as the previous methods, it is more suited for teams who don’t want to spend too much time brainstorming.
6. Stepladder Brainstorming
If you, however, do have a large introvert team members (or a mixture with extroverts), this method would be more suitable. The stepladder brainstorming prevents the loud ones from overtaking or dominating the group’s ideas.
As a facilitator, you introduce a topic to the group, then have everyone leave the room except for two people. The duo that’s left in the room discuss their ideas for a set time, then another person joins them to add to their idea.
Once everyone is back in the room, step by step, they can discuss and build their ideas together.
How Project Management Tools Can Be Beneficial with Introvert Team Members
Project management tools not only help manage your team without the hassle and chaos of sorting and distributing tasks but also assist team members who struggle with direct communication. A software that can hold all the information and resources they need to execute their task is a haven for introverts who are a bit hesitant when it comes to confrontation.
Consider this: one of your team members wants feedback from a more experienced team member but is shy or anxious to approach them. Our TESSR Review can help bridge that gap.
Without needing to directly talk to a team member, they can request feedback or assistance on their work. What makes our module different is that we have the tools to be able to give contextual comments easily with emojis and voice notes.
Conclusion
While there is no easy way to guide or motivate your introvert teams to share their ideas, finding an effective brainstorming method might be the key to getting them to be comfortable enough to speak up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As a manager, I would like to build up the confidence of my introverted team member, as they have good ideas. Is there a way to get them to speak up?
You can direct your introverted team to resources that can build their confidence and take the time to highlight their achievements in a meeting to coax them to come out of their shell.
How do I make sure a loud member doesn't overpower the rest of the team?
By implementing brainstorming methods where taking turns is essential and within a set time. This could help prevent team members from outshining their more introverted members.
I am an introverted manager and would prefer less direct communication when it comes to brainstorming. Is this possible?
Certainly! Try brain-netting or online brainstorming to assist you in that.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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