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From time to time, I have heard authors and creativity experts refer to a brainstorming technique called "springboard thinking." I was never quite sure what this term meant until I recently read a great explanation of it in the book Big Ideas: Putting the Zest into Creativity & Innovation at Work by Jonne Cesarani. Here’s how she explains springboard thinking:
"Speculative thoughts, presented constructively, are labeled ‘springboards.’ You could liken them to the diving board and the swimming pool. At first, you may nervously step off the end. As you gain confidence you take leaps, and when you do not get hurt you may somersault as well. So it is with speculation. As you enjoy the freedom of letting your mind roam free, see where it will take you, if you allow it space."
In short, "springboarding is turbocharged brainstorming."
Springboards can include:
- Redefinitions of the task headline
- Wishes
- Starting ideas
- Challenges to constraints on the problem
- Random thoughts
- Feelings or gut level reactions
- Apparently conflicting points of view
Here are some rules for Jonne recommends for effective springboarding:
- Suspend your normal judgment
- Do not ask questions or allow them to be asked; encourage people to guess.
- Use in-out listening to hear everything spoken for what it suggests, not whether it is right or wrong
- Practice suspending judgment in your thinking as well as your speaking
- Use headlines followed by background to express the springboards when working in a group
- Capture the headlines on flip charts so that the group can revel in their productivity
- Use language like "how to" or "I wish" which encourage positive thinking about possible new futures.
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