What is the most effective way to start a brainstorming session with your team?

Starting a brainstorming session with the phrase "How might we...?" is particularly effective because it invites creative thinking and opens up the floor for a broad range of ideas. This phrase encourages team members to explore possibilities and think innovatively about solutions. It frames the discussion in a way that stimulates curiosity and inspires participants to consider multiple perspectives and approaches to a challenge.

Using "How might we...?" also promotes collaboration, as it positions the problem as a collective challenge that the team can tackle together. This approach tends to foster an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels encouraged to contribute, ultimately leading to a richer variety of ideas and potential solutions.

In contrast, posing a question like "What do we want to achieve?" could lead to discussions focused on goals rather than generating ideas, while asking about available resources could limit the scope of creativity by narrowing focus to feasibility rather than possibility. Similarly, addressing who will lead the discussion introduces a logistical concern that may detract from the collaborative brainstorming process itself.