Zoom has become the “go to” way to communicate with other people, and there are many benefits of this vehicle. One that has suffered, however, is brainstorming.

Brainstorming involves creativity. Innovative thinking beyond the obvious. The concept also involves collaboration, building on other’s ideas, and emotional engagement.

So why is Zoom not optimal for brainstorming?

When one stares at a screen as is required by Zoom, the focus is exclusively on another person’s face. When an idea is proposed one sees the immediate reaction visually. This impacts how others may feel about an idea based on what they see from others facial reaction/expressions. This chain reaction may limit people’s interest in going deeper with the creative concept or building on what was said.

Further, the focus on everyone’s face limits creativity. One is so absorbed in concentrating on the screen and looking straight ahead that broader thinking becomes limited.

Creativity requires thinking beyond the current state. A screenconfines that thinking.

Ideas can be generated in brainstorming when people meet in person. The biggest difference with technology driven brainstorming is in the quantity of ideas and the broad thinking needed for those ideas to flourish.

One might try turning off their screen to stimulate thinking. In this way, your thoughts are not confined by the screen and you can visualize in space for new ideas.

To make brainstorming more effective you might need to be more creative with the set up of the exercise before you even begin!

Brainstorming needs to get back to its roots to be more productive.

Think Positive+ Feel Positive= Be Positive