Home Health & Hospice Week

7 tips help you generate creative solutions to a problem.

Every agency goes through slumps, but you can easily energize your staff simply by allowing them to find creative solutions to your daily problems. A brainstorming session lets your workers troubleshoot new ways to perform old tasks — while giving them an outlet for expression. But while brainstorming sessions shouldn’t have a lot of rules, you will need some restrictions to ensure that your team’s session flows smoothly, advise A.G. Lafley and Ram Charan, authors of The Game Changer.

Use these guidelines to make the most of your next brainstorming session:

1. Invite an outsider. You’ll need a “traffic cop” who is skilled at group dynamics and can tell when your staff is flagging. Someone outside of your office is the best pick, but anyone who can be patient with quiet workers and assertive with loud ones will work.

2. Be prepared. Don’t ask your employees to delve right into a brainstorming session. Instead, give them a specific subject a day or so ahead of time so that everyone has time to parse their thoughts.

3. Set a relaxed tone. Your staff won’t generate innovative ideas if they’re afraid of being laughed at or reprimanded. Make sure everyone knows that negative comments or reactions are not allowed.

Try this: Some people may have a hard time sharing their thoughts regarding another teammate’s idea without using negative words. Ask them to say “Yes, and …” when they hear an idea they don’t like. That way, everyone feels like their contributions are valid.

4. Leaders speak last. Many employees will say what they think you want to hear. Therefore, you should offer your thoughts and ideas last. That way, everyone will give their honest opinions rather than simply agree with you.

5. Get everyone to contribute. Many people dread speaking in front of a group and will try to remain silent. You can get them to open up by playing to their expertise. For example, ask computer experts about technology solutions and finance experts about funding.

Next step: Be sure to discourage disruptions. You’ll never convince a mild-mannered employee to speak up if someone is talking over her.

6. Designate a record keeper. As ideas flow, you’ll quickly lose track of information. Use a whiteboard or a big sheet of paper to write down everyone’s ideas. That way, you can both refine ideas and allow everyone to refer back to the ideas brought forth during the session.

7. Make an action plan. The best ideas are worthless without a plan to execute them. At the end of your session, work with your staff to determine what happens next. Rather than getting hung up on practicalities, develop ways to flesh out the ideas presented during the session.