Time: 1 Hour
STEP 1: A group or individual who needs help tells their family members, sends an email to the team, or makes an announcement stating that they need to hold an Emergency Brainstorm. A location is specified, as well as a time (Emergency Brainstorm sessions usually occur within 30 minutes).
STEP 2: Any available family or team member who can provide 20 minutes of help should attend the session.
STEP 3: Emergency Brainstorm Process:
- The group or individual takes 5 minutes to describe the situation, desired outcome, and help needed from team members.
- For 15 minutes, team members provide as many ideas as possible to help the group or individual solve the problem. The ideas are captured on a flip chart or dry erase board.
- The group or individual asking for help CANNOT critique any of the ideas (i.e., “that won’t work”).
- No matter how outrageous the idea or how far-fetched the idea, it must be captured. Remember, when brainstorming, you never know what may trigger the best idea.
- Once the 15 minutes are up (use a timer), the session ends. Team members are thanked for their time, and the group or individual sifts through the ideas generated in the Emergency Brainstorm.
- For each idea, the group or individual determines if the idea is worth considering at this point in time.
Once the issue is solved, the group or individual should email the team members who attended the Emergency Brainstorm to share the solution used and to thank them for their time.
