During a brainstorming session, if participants begin judging suggestions, what should the role of the NPD practitioner be?

In a brainstorming session, the key objective is to foster a creative environment where participants feel safe to express their ideas without the fear of immediate judgment or criticism. When participants begin to evaluate or judge suggestions, it can stifle creativity and discourage individuals from contributing further.

As an NPD practitioner, the appropriate response is to guide the group back to the original focus of the session, which is to generate ideas freely. This involves reinforcing the principle that all contributions are valuable and should be offered without evaluation at this stage. By emphasizing the need to pause judgment and simply continue sharing ideas, the NPD practitioner helps in creating an open atmosphere that promotes innovative thinking and collective problem-solving.

Encouraging the free flow of ideas allows the group to explore a wide range of possibilities, which can lead to more effective and creative solutions when the time comes for evaluation and decision-making. This crucial role of the NPD practitioner in maintaining the integrity of the brainstorming process supports not just immediate outcomes, but also long-term collaboration and trust among team members.