Want to supercharge your team's creativity? Here's how to run effective brainstorming sessions with diverse, global teams:
- Prep work: Set clear goals, share info early, pick inclusive meeting times
- Create a safe space: Build trust, allow various input methods
- Get everyone involved: Use round-robin sharing, silent brainstorming
- Mix methods: Combine writing, speaking, and visuals
- Combine ideas fairly: Build on each input, record group decisions
Why it matters: Diverse teams are 35% more productive and generate 2.5x higher cash flow per employee.
Key challenge: Building trust in multicultural teams is harder but crucial for success.
Pro tip: Use structured approaches like "Round Robin" or silent brainstorming to hear all voices.
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How Different Backgrounds Affect Teams
Cross-cultural team brainstorming can be tricky. Why? Because people from different backgrounds approach idea sharing in unique ways. Let's look at two key factors that can make or break your brainstorming sessions.
Different Ways of Speaking Up
Ever notice how some team members dominate discussions while others stay quiet? It's not just about personality - culture plays a big role.
In places like the US, people often jump in with ideas without hesitation. They're used to expressing opinions independently. But in many Asian countries, team members might wait to share their group's consensus instead of individual thoughts.
Here's a real-life example:
At a global conference, a Bolivian participant spoke up about translation issues, representing his entire group. But the leaders, mostly from individualistic cultures, didn't realize his input reflected the majority opinion. This led to misunderstanding the overall feedback.
This shows why it's crucial to recognize different communication styles in cross-cultural teams.
To help bridge this gap:
- Ask for written comments before meetings
- Build one-on-one relationships and discuss issues privately
Personal vs. Group Thinking
How team members approach problem-solving also varies: some think individually, others collectively.
Western cultures often focus on individual ideas. They assume you can understand concepts independently of their context.
East Asian societies tend to emphasize context, relationships, and accepting contradictions.
In brainstorming, this means:
- Western team members might offer unique, independent ideas
- East Asian colleagues might consider how ideas fit within the bigger picture
A study compared Chinese and American high school students. It found Chinese participants made more situational interpretations of visual displays, while Americans focused on individual elements.
To make the most of these different thinking styles:
- Value both individual and group-oriented contributions
- Mix individual brainstorming time with group discussions
- Encourage team members to consider unique ideas AND how they fit into the broader context
Step 1: Get Ready
Preparing your cross-cultural team for a productive brainstorming session is more than just scheduling a meeting. It's about creating the right environment for success. Here's how to do it:
Set Goals and Share Info Early
Clear communication is key. Here's what you need to do:
1. Define your purpose
What exactly do you want to achieve? Be specific. Are you solving a problem or coming up with new product ideas?
2. Share materials in advance
Give your team time to review information. This is crucial for team members who might need to translate or process complex ideas in a non-native language.
3. Ask for pre-meeting input
Get team members to send their initial thoughts before the meeting. This ensures everyone's voice is heard, even if they're not comfortable speaking up in a group.
Matt Monette, UK&I Country Lead at Deel, says:
"The world of work has fundamentally changed. We live in a digitally connected world, where remote working and hybrid teams are now part of everyday life in many businesses."
To adapt, use a shared document or collaborative platform where team members can add their ideas before the meeting. This works well for cross-cultural teams, allowing for written contributions that bypass potential language barriers.
Pick Times and Set Rules
Choosing the right meeting time and establishing clear guidelines is crucial. Here's how:
Find a common time slot by asking team members for their daily work hours. Compare these across time zones to find one hour that works for everyone each week.
Rotate meeting times to be fair to global team members. This way, no one is always stuck with an inconvenient time.
Set clear rules for participation. This might include:
- How to show you want to speak
- Time limits for each person's input
- Ways to build on others' ideas respectfully
Create a shared space for capturing ideas, whether it's a physical whiteboard or a digital tool like Miro or Mural.
The goal? Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing, no matter their cultural background. As one expert puts it:
"Awareness goes far in diffusing tensions as people learn to see one another's point of view and give each other more latitude in differences of approach."
Step 2: Make Everyone Feel Safe
Creating a safe space for your diverse team's brainstorming is key. When people feel comfortable sharing ideas, creativity takes off. Here's how to build that safety net:
Build Trust and Allow Private Input
Trust is the bedrock of any great team, especially in multicultural settings. Here's how to foster it:
- Open up: Encourage everyone to share their cultural perspectives. Use tools like Erin Meyer's culture map to get everyone on the same page.
- Show your human side: As a leader, be open about your own struggles. It sets the tone for others to do the same.
- Mix up your input channels: Not everyone's comfortable speaking up in groups. Offer one-on-ones or anonymous suggestion boxes too.
Here's a real-world example:
A Japanese team member at a global tech company felt uneasy pushing for her project in public. In her culture, finding consensus outside meetings is the norm. She tried to adapt, but her project got sidelined. She felt let down after stepping out of her comfort zone.
This could've been avoided by offering different ways to contribute and valuing all input equally, no matter how it's given.
Set Clear Expectations
When working with diverse teams, clarity is your best friend. Here's how to nail it:
- Set team norms: Create a consistent structure for how you work. It helps build a shared team culture.
- Watch your words: Use language that brings people in, not pushes them away. Be clear about your work style, but encourage flexibility too.
- Teach productive disagreement: Show your team how to debate ideas effectively. Make it clear that exchanging thoughts is crucial for the group.
James Lloyd-Townshend, CEO at Nigel Frank International, puts it well:
"Dealing with weak spots in your organization isn't easy, but acknowledging them is a strength. Mistakes can teach us a lot, and that's the mindset you need for a safe, supportive workplace."
Step 3: Get Everyone Involved
Creating an inclusive environment where all team members can share their ideas is key for successful cross-cultural brainstorming. Here's how to make it happen:
Take Turns and Help Quiet Members
In diverse teams, you'll often find a mix of outspoken and reserved individuals. Cultural backgrounds can impact how comfortable people feel speaking up. To strike a balance:
Use the "talking stick" method. Pass an object around - only the person holding it can share ideas. This helps manage talkative members and encourages quieter ones to speak up.
Break into smaller groups. Large discussions can be intimidating. Harvard Business School Professor Francesca Gino suggests:
"Even simple techniques like asking for input and going around the table, inviting each person to contribute one idea, or build on an idea someone else has brought up, can help moderate the longwinded enthusiasm of an extrovert and encourage the introvert."
Try anonymous idea submission. Some team members might hesitate to share due to fear of judgment. One expert advises:
"At times like these, take advantage of anonymity to make sure every voice is heard without judgement. Have people put their ideas on pieces of paper and read them aloud."
Use Different Ways to Share Ideas
Not everyone communicates the same way. Offering various methods for idea sharing can boost participation:
Give time for pre-meeting prep. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos uses this approach. Before meetings, everyone reads a six-page memo about the agenda. This lets introverts process information and form ideas at their own pace.
Mix verbal and written communication. Combine spoken discussions with written input. Use digital tools or post-it notes for jotting down ideas. This caters to different communication styles and helps overcome language barriers.
Try visual brainstorming. Use mind mapping or sketching exercises. Visual methods can bridge language gaps and appeal to different thinking styles. Tools like Miro or Mural work well for remote settings.
Switch up who leads. Let different team members run parts of the brainstorming session. This empowers everyone and brings diverse styles to the table.
The goal? Create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. As productivity expert Marija Kojic puts it:
"The best way to show your colleagues that you respect and appreciate them is by being open to the traditions and values of all cultures."
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Step 4: Mix Different Methods
Getting the best ideas from a diverse team isn't a one-size-fits-all process. You need to mix up your methods. Here's how:
Combine Writing and Speaking
Some people love to talk. Others prefer to write. Here's a way to cater to both:
1. Silent writing: Give everyone 10 minutes to write down their ideas.
2. Round-robin sharing: Each person shares their top idea out loud.
3. Open discussion: The team builds on the shared ideas together.
This approach works great for cross-cultural teams. It helps with language barriers and cultural differences that might make some people hesitant to speak up right away.
Google uses a similar method called "note-and-vote". Team members write ideas on sticky notes, then vote on the best ones. This led to Gmail's "Smart Reply" feature, which now saves users about 6.5 million hours every day.
Go Visual
Pictures and diagrams can spark creativity and bridge language gaps. Try these:
- Mind mapping: Start with a main idea and branch out. It's great for exploring complex ideas across cultures.
- Sketch storming: Everyone draws their ideas for 5 minutes, then shares. It puts non-native speakers on equal footing.
- Visual metaphors: Ask team members to represent ideas using images from their cultures. It can lead to some eye-opening insights.
IDEO, the global design firm, uses "bodystorming". Team members act out scenarios to generate ideas. This physical, visual approach led to the creation of the first computer mouse for Apple.
The key? Mix it up. Start with solo thinking, move to small groups, then share with everyone. This keeps energy high and makes sure all voices are heard.
"The best global leaders can adapt their style to the culture of the people they're working with." - Erin Meyer, author of "The Culture Map"
Step 5: Combine Ideas Fairly
After your team generates a bunch of ideas, it's time to bring them all together. This step makes sure everyone's voice is heard. Here's how to combine ideas fairly:
Build on Each Person's Input
The key is to use each idea as a stepping stone to better solutions. Here's how:
1. Group similar ideas
Put related ideas together. This helps you spot common themes across cultures.
2. Use "Yes, and..."
Instead of shooting down ideas, build on them. This shows respect and boosts creativity.
3. Let everyone vote
Give each team member votes to use on their favorite ideas. It's a fair way to pick the best ones.
Bryan Kitch from Mural says:
"Brainstorming is a great way to generate creative new ideas, clarify your thoughts, think outside the box, build on the ideas of others, and overcome obstacles."
Take Procter & Gamble's Connect + Develop program. By mixing ideas from different teams and cultures, they've created over 2,000 successful products. The Swiffer and Crest Whitestrips came from this approach. It's boosted their innovation by 50%!
Record Group Decisions
Writing down what you decide is key. It keeps everyone on the same page. Here's how:
1. Use online tools
Platforms like Miro or Mural let everyone work together and save ideas in real-time.
2. Have a note-taker
Pick someone to write down the main points and decisions. They shouldn't join the discussion.
3. Sum it up
After the meeting, send out a summary. Include what you decided and who's doing what next.
Jenna Wilson from WeWork's Social Media Team says:
"'No bad ideas' has become a brainstorming cliché, but if someone's idea gets shot down quickly, they're less likely to have the confidence to share their next idea."
Try the KJ Method, created by Jiro Kawakita. It goes like this:
- Write ideas silently
- Group similar ones
- Vote on the best
Google used something like this for Gmail's "Smart Reply" feature. Now it saves users about 6.5 million hours every day!
The goal? Make decisions that include everyone's ideas. As Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the World Wide Web, said:
"We need diversity of thought in the world to face the new challenges."
Tips for Better Results
Cross-cultural team brainstorming can supercharge innovation, but it needs smart planning. Here's how to squeeze the most from your diverse team:
Learn About Each Other
Getting to know different backgrounds is key for teamwork. Try these:
Cross-cultural training: Boost understanding of different communication styles. The World Economic Forum says companies doing this can jack up employee engagement by 38%.
Icebreakers: Kick off meetings with quick, fun activities. It loosens everyone up and gets people talking.
Team charter: Set up agreed-on rules and practices. It clears the air and builds trust.
Lily Hall from TeamNamesHQ nails it:
"By respecting what makes us different, we can feel like we belong. We can talk better and achieve amazing things."
Pick the Right Tools
The right software and smart meeting management can turbocharge your team's output. Here's what to think about:
Collaboration tools: Look at ease of use, not just features. BrandSpark, a marketing agency, started using Slack for messaging and Trello for projects. Result? They cranked out projects 30% faster in just six months.
Brainstorming tools: Go for platforms like Miro or Canva's brainstorming tools. They help teams cook up ideas, sort them, and show how they connect.
Time zones and thinking styles: Let team members chip in after the main brainstorming. Jonathan Roque from Zapiet likes this approach:
"A tool that does what it's supposed to do and supports everything that you're trying to accomplish – like the ultimate goal."
Structured formats: Use methods like "Round Robin" or "silent brainstorming" to hear everyone out. Innovatech tried "Round Robin" and saw team morale jump 67% and project completion zoom up 45%.
The endgame? Make diversity your secret weapon. As Dr. David Livermore, a Cultural Intelligence Expert, puts it:
"Diverse teams have a harder time trusting each other than homogenous teams do."
So, focus on building that trust. It's the key to unlocking your team's full potential.
Wrap-up
Cross-cultural team brainstorming is a powerful tool for innovation when done right. Let's recap the key steps and see how diverse viewpoints can boost your team's creative output.
- Prep work: Set clear goals, share info early, and pick inclusive meeting times. This helps everyone start on equal footing.
- Safe space: Build trust and allow different input methods. What's comfy in one culture might be tough in another.
- Get everyone involved: Use techniques like round-robin sharing or silent brainstorming. Jenna Wilson from WeWork says:
"No bad ideas' has become a brainstorming cliché, but if someone's idea gets shot down quickly, they're less likely to have the confidence to share their next idea."
- Mix it up: Use writing, speaking, and visuals. This works for different thinking styles and communication preferences.
- Fair idea combo: Build on each person's input and record group decisions clearly. This shows that every voice matters.
Diverse teams pack a punch. Data shows companies with diversity have 2.5 times higher cash flow per employee than less diverse ones. Plus, inclusive teams are over 35% more productive.
But the real magic? Creating a space where these diverse views can shine. Dr. David Livermore, a Cultural Intelligence Expert, notes:
"Diverse teams have a harder time trusting each other than homogenous teams do."
That's why a structured approach to cross-cultural brainstorming is key. You're not just generating ideas - you're building a stronger team.
The goal isn't just different voices in the room. It's creating a symphony where each unique note adds to an innovative outcome. When done right, cross-cultural brainstorming can lead to solutions a same-same team might miss.
So, for your next brainstorm, embrace your team's diversity. Celebrate different views, encourage open talk, and watch your team's creativity soar. In today's global market, harnessing diverse viewpoints isn't just nice - it's a must-have.
FAQs
How do you build a multicultural collaboration?
Building a multicultural collaboration isn't a walk in the park. But with the right approach, you can create a team that's greater than the sum of its parts. Here's how:
1. Recognize cultural differences
Different cultures have different values. Geert Hofstede's model shows six ways cultures can differ, like how they view power or whether they're more about "me" or "we".
2. Set team ground rules
Get everyone on the same page about how you'll work together. It's like creating a mini-culture for your team.
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate
Keep it simple and clear. As Country Navigator puts it:
"Over-communicate. It's better to be clear and to speak and write in relatively simple language than to assume remote-working colleagues can pick up the subtext of what you're saying."
4. Build trust
Create an environment where people feel safe to speak up. Shaylae Duprís from Blu Prospects Consulting nails it:
"You should first start with trust in yourself and having trust in your team."
5. Invest in diversity training
Pew Research says 52% of workers get DEI training. It's not just a checkbox - it can really help people understand each other better.
How do you lead a group brainstorming session?
Leading a brainstorming session, especially with a diverse group, can be tricky. Here's how to make it work:
1. Do your homework
Plan it out. As basketball legend John Wooden said:
"Failure to prepare is preparing to fail."
2. Make the goal crystal clear
Everyone should know exactly what you're trying to achieve.
3. Set some ground rules
Make sure everyone knows how to play nice, especially when you've got people from different cultures in the mix.
4. Use techniques that work for everyone
Not everyone's comfortable shouting out ideas. Try silent brainstorming to give the quiet folks a chance to shine.
5. Don't let the loud ones take over
The first idea often gets the most attention, usually from the most outspoken person. Make sure you're hearing from everyone.
6. Boost your team's cultural smarts
Research shows that diverse teams with low cultural intelligence (CQ) actually come up with fewer good ideas than teams that are all the same. Work on improving your team's CQ.
7. Follow through
Don't let those great ideas gather dust. Make a plan to put them into action.
