Members gather to mastermind and brain-storm possible solutions to obstacles, multiply options for opportunities and inspiring perseverance.
“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.” – Voltaire
Guidelines for a Solution Circles
No negativity. Be positive about every contribution. All ideas are valid at this stage. Think about what’s good or bad later.
Strive for quantity not quality. Every idea is welcome. Come up with as many ideas as you can. Build on ideas. Combine ideas or save idea combinations that relate to one another.
No idea should be lost. Have someone assigned to writing down every idea that pops up during your circle.
Be careful no one dominates the conversation. Have someone assigned to keep the contributions balanced by invited those to share that may be drowned out by enthusiastic extroverts.
Actively Listen. Don’t forget to listen when you’re not talking.
Resist tangents. Keep focused on the topic at hand.
Allow for incubation. There should be a follow-up circle a few days to a week after the first Solution Circle to give everyone’s mind an opportunity to incubate additional ideas. Once the creative process is initiated, our minds will subconsciously work on solutions and speak to us in moments of inspiration.