There’s a remarkable human capacity to create ideas that improve how we live, work and play.  Certain rare and  storied individuals are heralded in history for their breakthrough ideas (think Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs, to name a few epic ones), but it’s the collaboration of teams who generate idea flow on a daily basis and steadily advance progressive organizations toward their goals.

It’s energizing to work with a team of talented people who gather around a topic and explore new possibilities and varied options. These elements create a framework for maximum idea flow: 

• People.  Identify and engage those with the needed mind set and skill set to contribute.  Assure that different perspectives are engaged.  And leave egos at the door.
• Purpose.  Be intentional regarding why you’re coming together and what you intend to accomplish.  Define what Success looks like.
• Dynamics.  Active conversation is wonderful, but capturing key thoughts on a white board, easel or electronic medium has a way of creating focus and stimulating additional thoughts.  A skilled facilitator makes all the difference in creating momentum, capturing insights and advancing the process. It helps everyone on the team to “see” where the collaboration is headed and visualize what might come next. .
• Progress.  As “Aha Moments” occur, decide what will be done with them.  How will they be advanced?  What’s the next step?  And who needs to be involved with moving the process forward.  Idea flow must lead to action on the things that matter most. 

When the right people assemble, the purpose is clear, the discussion path is outlined and the rules of open engagement are set forth, the idea flow is like turning on a fire hose.  It’s when people are at their very best.

There’s a great deal of truth in this statement:  “We have always done it that way!” are the seven most expensive words in business.  Conversely, by shifting the statement to read “We could possibly do it this way!” we suddenly capture the seven best investment words in business. 
Let the idea flow begin.  Enjoy the Journey!