Strategic Brainstorming Session

Last week I had the opportunity to facilitate a Strategic Brainstorm Session with a group of professionals. The teacher in me loves to brainstorm. It’s a skill we learn early in our school years—and one that can evolve into a powerful strategic tool. Used effectively, brainstorming brings clarity, unlocks smarter decision-making, and adds intentional structure to innovation.

One of my favorite processes to guide teams through is the Six Thinking Hats method by Edward de Bono. It’s a powerful framework for structured thinking that helps teams explore problems and opportunities from six distinct perspectives:

• White Hat – Facts and data
• Red Hat – Emotions and intuition
• Black Hat – Risks and caution
• Yellow Hat – Optimism and benefits
• Green Hat – Creativity and new ideas
• Blue Hat – Process and control

This versatile tool, which promotes parallel thinking, can be used as a full process or in sections—depending on the goals of the session. Strategic Brainstorming Sessions offer an opportunity for teams to come together and receive guidance as they work towards their common mission, vision and core values.

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