Brainstorming is a way of leveraging the creativity of a team to get better ideas; it is most powerful when the following guidelines are followed: Use a knowledgeable facilitator who is not directly involved in the process being discussed.

Create a list of different considerations or aspects of the problem to stimulate thinking. 

Allow no criticism (even mild or joking) of any input.  There are no bad ideas. 

Let ideas build on each other – this is the power of the team participation. 

Take a short break after the idea generation session before proceeding with qualifying the ideas.  But be sure to qualify ideas during the same meeting into those which are clearly ineffective or undesirable, those which are clearly effective and desirable, and those which require further investigation.

Leaders lead, they are winners. Challenges faced in 2013 will still be subservient to real solutions developed by real leaders; but, it won't be about theory; it will be about planning and execution. There is no doubt that 2013 will be about change.

That's a good thing but meeting theses challenges will require the innovation and initiatives of your entire management team. 

Rick Johnson, expert speaker, wholesale distribution's "Leadership Strategist", founder of CEO Strategist, LLC a firm that helps clients create and maintain competitive advantage. Need a speaker for your next event, E-mail rick@ceostrategist.com .  Don't forget to check out the Lead Wolf Series that can help you put more profit into your business.

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