Keys to Leading an Effective Brainstorming Session

Just the other day, I was facilitating a team-building session focusing on sharing and learning about the group's consolidated behaviour profiles. During several of the group "brainstorming" sessions I noticed that a few leaders tended to dominate their respective discussions and/or dismiss ideas that members of their group have brought up. As I had worked with these leaders closely, I realised that their response were not intentional, rather they were not aware of what they were doing (or their passion to drive to a quick closure) during the discussions . Hence, the prompt for me to put up this blog on some pointers for leaders to think about.

It is most likely that leaders of teams and organisations have at one time or another, led or facilitated brainstorming sessions before. But let’s face it — a brainstorming session can either spark a flood of fresh ideas… or end up feeling like a forced meeting with a lot of awkward silence.

The difference? is how it’s led. Good leaders know that brainstorming isn’t just about collecting ideas — it’s about creating a space where people want to share them.

Here are 5 key ways to lead a brainstorming session that actually works:

1. Set the Stage — But Keep It Open

Before jumping in, give your team clarity on the challenge or opportunity you’re brainstorming around. A simple framing like, “We’re looking for creative ways to improve our onboarding process,” gives direction without boxing anyone in.

Consider: Avoiding being too specific too soon. You’re inviting ideas, not asking for solutions (yet).

2. Create Psychological Safety

If people don’t feel safe to speak freely, they won’t. Full stop.

As the leader, it’s your job to set a tone of openness and non-judgment. Make it clear that this is a space for all ideas — even the wild ones — and that there are no wrong answers at this stage.

Try saying:“This is a judgment-free zone. Don’t self-edit — throw it out there. We’ll sort ideas later.”

3. Use Structure to Spark Creativity

Free-for-alls can feel chaotic, and they often favor the loudest voices. Instead, guide the flow with a bit of structure.

Some ideas:

• Start with a round of silent brainstorming (sticky notes or digital tools)

• Go around the room to hear from everyone

• Use prompts or “how might we…” questions to shift perspectives

  
  

Why it works: Structure gives quieter voices space to contribute and helps the group stay focused and energized.

4. Hold Back on Evaluation (For Now)

Nothing kills creative flow like someone immediately saying, “That won’t work.”

Resist the urge to evaluate or critique ideas during the ideation phase. Even impractical ideas can trigger unexpected insights — and your team needs to feel safe exploring without judgment.

Set a ground rule: “We’re not here to judge or debate yet — just to explore. We'll refine in the next round.”

5. Close With Next Steps — and Appreciation

Once the ideas are flowing, don’t leave the session hanging. Wrap it up by summarizing the key takeaways and letting the team know what happens next.

For example:

• Which ideas will be explored further

• Who’s taking what forward

• When the group will reconvene

  
  

And don’t forget: thank everyone — not just for their ideas, but for their willingness to show up and share.

Final Thought:

It is important to note that leading a great brainstorming session isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about unlocking the creativity of the people around you.

When you create the right mix of clarity, safety, structure, and space, ideas will start flowing. And the best part? They’ll often come from places you least expect.