At the start of every qualitative discussion, we tell participants: ‘there are no wrong answers’
In the ground rules of brainstorming sessions, someone always says: ‘there are no bad ideas’
What are the reasons for using that simple expression?
We had a great example at Upwords this week.
I was reflecting that I didn’t love the name of our ‘weekly win’ list.
This is a list I share at the end of every week with TeamUp (that’s what we call the team at Upwords).
I didn’t love the name because it went against the notion that it was intended, as a way to share things I’m grateful for – even if they’re not ’wins’.
I had mentioned this to one of my colleagues, we were chatting about how we might change the name.
Here’s an excerpt of our chat on Teams:
- L: I’d like to rename the weekly win list- they don’t have to be ’wins’ it’s more about gratitude / what we’re grateful for but I don’t have a name that sounds as good as ‘weekly wins.’ I asked chatGPT for a better name and didn’t like anything
- B: I’m trying to think of something else! LOL ‘Weekly Wows’?
- L: I like that better…
- B: UpThanks? LOL That’s not good at all!
- L: Ohh but you’ve given me another area to brainstorm
- B: I’m thinking of how we call ourselves TeamUp – can we leverage that?
- L: yes! I’ll see if I can build on that
- B: I’ll think too
- L: UpLift?
- B: I like that!
- L: me too!!
- B: UpLift List? or just weekly UpLift
- L: Yes! AND I love how it took your ’bad’ idea (your words) to get to it.
- L: Going forward our ’weekly win’ list will be renamed our ‘weekly UpLift.’
What we learned from this conversation:
- This is precisely the reason why we say there are no bad ideas and no wrong answers!
- This demonstrates the process of collaborative creativity and out-of-the-box thinking
- This is why we want and encourage everyone to have a voice. Even if you don’t feel like you have the right answer, you just might share the spark that someone else needs to light the fire!
Go ahead, be the spark!