A Creative Problem-Solving session is a great way to identify fresh perspectives and fresh ideas for existing problems and then develop these ideas into action plans. However, for a Creative Problem-Solving session to work effective facilitation is essential. Why is this? The facilitator needs to be able to do the following: 1. Work with the group to shift their focus from convergent thinking (there's one "right answer" to this problem) to divergent thinking (Coming up with new connections between unrelated ideas). 2. Remind participants that the first part of the session is all about letting go of judgement and evaluation of ideas ("That would never work here" etc) and energising the participants, using creative thinking techniques, to come up with lots of new ideas. 3. Work with the participants to select and develop ideas of interest. 4. Bring the participants back from divergent to convergent thinking as they take those ideas and transform them into operationally sound action plans. 5. Overall, the facilitator's role includes managing the session, keeping track of outputs (e.g. notes of flipcharts)keeping the momentum and energy of the group up, ensuring there's good individual participation and that everyone’s contribution to the meeting is protected. 6. Finally, a good facilitator will set ground rules with participants around best practice communication to maximise the effectiveness of the session. This will include encouraging participants to practice: 6(i) Paraphrasing: To ensure an accurate understanding of somebody’s ideas and suggestions In checking your understanding you want to check (not so much what the other person said as) what you think they meant by what they said. 6 (ii) Great Non verbal communication As we know, words, tone of voice and non-verbal body language all impact on the atmosphere and the outcome of the meeting. 6(iii) Acknowledging contribution and building on ideas In Creative Problem Solving sessions it's very natural for one participant's idea to trigger off ideas for other participants. Crediting and acknowledging the part other participants' ideas have played in your own is important to build a sense of trust and solidarity among participants-it becomes “our” idea instead of yours vs. mine. People also feel validated which may help them to contribute even more and ensures the session atmosphere remains positive. Conversely, not acknowledging others' ideas can make participants reluctant to offer ideas and suggestions in the future. What additional tips do you have for effective facilitation? Do you agree that it's a very important part of any brainstorming or problem solving session. For an overview of how I facilitate Creative Problem Solving sessions please click on http://lifetravelling.com/2009/05/creative-brainstorming/ And if you could do with getting creatively fitter you might like to join the discussion group Fresh Ideas, Creative Thinking. Isobel