Become an Innovation Superhero: Leading Successful Innovation Sessions
In This Episode
In this episode of Key Takeaways, hosts Maggie Bright and Chuck Murphy sit down with innovation expert Stephen Holmberg to dive into the secrets behind successful innovation sessions. They explore how to foster a creative environment, from assembling the right team to keeping judgment at bay during brainstorming. Steve shares his experiences leading sessions at Nike and beyond, offering valuable insights into setting up workshops that inspire breakthrough ideas. Whether you’re in market research, product development, or simply looking to spark creativity, this episode offers fresh insights and inspiration to help you lead successful innovation sessions.
Key Takeaways
- Tailor each workshop with the right combination of guidelines, team size, and focus, ensuring flexibility to adjust as the session evolves.
- Non-judgmental brainstorming is critical to generating innovative ideas. Save critique for later.
- The facilitator’s energy level sets the tone and should be 1-2 clicks above the rest of the room bringing just enough energy to inspire the group without overshadowing their contributions.
- Mixing different perspectives – from subject matter experts to outsiders – sparks creativity and challenges assumptions.
- Choose an offsite or unconventional location for innovation sessions when possible to break routine and encourage fresh thinking.
Quotes
- “The magic happens when people feel they’re part of something special, not just another meeting on the calendar.” – Stephen Holmberg
- “It’s not just about new ideas; it’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable sharing them. Even ideas you think are bad can spark something brilliant in someone else—every idea has value in the expansion phase.” – Maggie Bright
- “The art of being a good moderator is knowing when to push participants out of their comfort zones and when to reel them back in. Energy in the room is everything. If the facilitator is dialed in, everyone else will follow.” – Stephen Holmberg
- “We as humans are great at judging, but in these sessions, it’s important to suspend that judgment. Save it for later when we narrow down ideas. A successful innovation session starts with leaving judgment at the door—creating a space where any idea can thrive is key.” – Stephen Holmberg
- “It’s not just about being creative, but staying focused. The hardest part of innovation is not just coming up with ideas, but staying focused on the ones that matter most.” – Chuck Murphy