Sometimes a team’s creative output can be enhanced by offering them a fresh perspective. Take the brainstorming process, for example. Brainstorm the opposite of what you want and see what happens. The tool is called a contingency diagram, and this is how it works.
Imagine your team is supposed to brainstorm ideas to increase customer loyalty. Instead of looking for ideas to improve loyalty, the team looks for ways to decrease customer loyalty. Trying to improve employee morale? Brainstorming to destroy morality.
The power of the tool lies in its ability to harness negative energy (cynicism, sarcasm, hostility, etc.) and use it to spark creativity. If your team is in this kind of frame of mind, it is very difficult to generate enthusiasm by brainstorming. By giving them a chance to vent their negativity, you will witness amazing creativity.
After the team has filled the wall with ideas to lower morale or drive away customers, they’re ready to start identifying potential solutions to your problem.
Ask the team to analyze the list and develop ideas to solve the problem. Many solutions can be found simply by reversing the ideas on the list. Others can be discovered through interesting patterns and combinations of negative ideas. In any case, the list of “bad” ideas is a tremendous stimulus to generate “good” ideas.
The next time you’re faced with the same old problems and a team tired of trying to solve them, free up the team to find ways to make the problem worse. It will be fun, energizing and, above all, effective.