Braink Blink: Do you REALLY need that brainstorm?

Susan Cain in The New York Times suggests that solitude is better than “group think” when it comes to creating ideas. Her examples of creative loners range from Sir Isaac Newton and Picasso to Jesus and Buddha. Cain says studies show brainstorms can actually hurt ideation, due to shy, lazy, or overly dominant participants.  Even the organizational psychologist Adrian Furnman once wrote, "Evidence suggests that business people must be insane to use brainstorming groups.  Talented and motivated people should work alone when creativity or efficiency is the highest priority."

Idea: Brainstorms aren't all bad, just make sure you give participants a chance to ideate on their own before, during, or after the storm. Also, consider online brainstorms. As Cain explains, people are more likely to participate in online brainstorming where they can “work alone together."