S1 E13 Collaborative Brainstorming
Episode Audio
Mike Peacock shares what he’s been learning about collaborative brainstorming.
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
Transcript:
The following transcript was auto-generated and may contain typos or spelling errors.
Amy Petricek
Welcome to the share what you learned podcast. I'm Amy Petricek, a learning enthusiast and the host of the show, to share what you learn podcast is designed for learning professionals to share something they're learning in the field of instructional design. Today, I'm talking to Mike peacock. I can I have crossed paths a couple of times. And if there's one thing I know about him is that he's so creative and collaborative. Welcome to the show. Hello, Amy. How are you? I'm doing well. How about yourself, Mike? Oh, just dandy. Mike. Today we're going to be talking about collaborative brainstorming which I'm going to just preface this whole thing by I have had the pleasure of doing some collaborative brainstorming with you. And he's really great at ideating at helping with technical solutions at forming paths forward. So that's just my little like, Kudo in advance of everything. But I would love to hear in your own words, who is Mike peacock? What does he do? What's he about? And maybe like, Where has collaborative brainstorming come into your work? Well, thank you for the peacock plug, I really appreciate it.
Mike Peacock
I have I'm an instructional designer with a company called aristocrat gaming, we make slot machines out here in Las Vegas, been in education for about 20 something years and audio engineer video producer. co collaboration is well in my world, everything. Being in the music background and stuff. I'm always working with artists, whether it's on a mix, or writing songs, and now into instructional design, working with my colleagues to brainstorm to get ideas right for technology that we want to use or new ideas that we should be implementing. So I'm always big on the brainstorming and collaboration throughout my career. I've heard it said there's this phrase that you can it's rough translation, but like you can go faster alone but farther together. That to me is kind of what I how I envision collaborative brainstorming is like sure I could probably get this project done if I didn't include all these other people, but I might create something that's more impactful, more meaningful and is a greater value add if I do it with other people and get their input along the way. I agree that is true. So let's talk a little bit about the connotations that people have with brainstorming and what prevents people from taking the first steps because I think there definitely are people who well I won't say too much I'll just leave that open ended but you you
Mike Peacock
throw it to people like to talk but they don't like to brainstorm and I think it's they get intimidated everyone's self conscious when it comes to that and and i think you know sometimes they think oh, I really don't have anything to say or to offer I'm not looking at the people in the room they're experts in this what do I have to offer an opinion or thoughts to this group which is contrary to the you know, poverty is completely wrong You know, when I'm brainstorming with people in the room and I know that I have some really good experts is up I know what they're gonna say. I want to hear the person that I don't know or not familiar with because I want to hear what they have to say about it. You know, I think that's one of the things that people get hung up in myself I was going to brainstorm like what am I doing you I don't you know, what do I have to offer? say there's no bad there's no bad ideas in brainstorming just material we may not use. That's it. It's I think that's one of the things and I know when I lead a brainstorming session or something, it's very relaxed, but at the same time, it's so fast paced, that you don't know that you're not participating. One of
Amy Petricek
the things I was thinking about as you were saying that was about imposter syndrome. And it sounds like imposter syndrome comes up in brainstorming people feel they're not valuable they're not worth it. their ideas aren't valuable. And I love that you said I want to hear from the person who I haven't heard from before because I think when you do get more of that diversity of thought you get way better ideas.
Mike Peacock
Oh absolutely i everyone has everyone has a thought everyone has an opinion and again just even by you saying something that maybe we may not use it sparked something else so it's like that butterfly effect. You know, I just want ideas to be flowing and then we'll figure it out later but I just want everyone involved. And I think the more you get involved in like hey that's a great idea, elaborate honor to collaborate and more than they then you see the confidence build. And I think that imposter syndrome is is you know anyone that's new to instructional design. like myself I was a teacher for 20 plus years went into find my way stumbled into instructional design it's it's tough, you know being in the same room as people have been doing it for 20 years. I go to I have to offer but I think they valued my my outside opinion my outside point of view and that made for good Collaboration
Amy Petricek
when everyone comes from the same background has the same resources you're not thinking there's it's very hard to think outside of the box and it's very hard to find other solutions because you're all approaching the problem from the same mindset in essence so I think that's a good thing to highlight too so where have you seen brainstorming and collaboration to be most beneficial?
Mike Peacock
A good example is one that we run into is using new software Okay, we got some new software well how are we going to use it? So sitting around going Hey, how, you know we understand the software, not how are we going to implement it? How are we going to you know, get to the next level know, how are we going to use it, thinking about what classes we already have, or what training we have or what delivery systems we have. So I find a lot of brainstorming that way on software or new products of how we could fit them into the existing Another way is we offer a lot of training and just like most companies, and we were finding that through the train that we needed a basic course we work in the casino industry and slot slot machines that people coming into our industry didn't know anything about the casino and we want we're going up to the next level where they don't even understand the plateau. So we were brainstorming on like well we should really fill that gap with something so I think brainstorming for just what what do we offer and how can we fill in or support stuff like that even just I'm doing something and I don't know you know, what were the story should go let's brainstorm it. You know, this training video, where should it go? What should we do? So I think getting everything she brings dog,
Amy Petricek
thanks for sharing, I think we all could use more brainstorming in our days. And I love that you're advocating for it anywhere in everywhere because I think there are some connotations that brainstorming only belongs in certain places and sectors. But what I'm hearing you say is really comprehensive anywhere anywhere. Like there's there's a place for it and it's just about how you use it. So when is a good time to reach out and ask someone to brainstorm with you.
Mike Peacock
I think anytime you can invite anyone to brainstorm at any time, don't expect them to brainstorm when you invite them because you can you don't know what you're inviting into. You know, like right now someone invited me to brainstorm I was like, No, I'm sorry, I'm chatting with my good friend Amy. And we'll get back to well you don't know what you're going into. But I think an invitation to brainstorm can be sent out at any time. And then if they can't brainstorm or work with you, right, then plant the seed like oh yeah, I'm thinking about doing X, Y and Z. Let's set up some time and talk about it but I like to plant the seed like this is what I want to accomplish in the brainstorming mull it over and when we talk we'll we'll go deeper into it. I don't like to go we're gonna brainstorm but I'll tell you what it is later no no no it's yeah we plant some seeds talk it over mow it over third I'll talk to you and you know when when I talked to you
Amy Petricek
I learned a similar lesson around feedback and and you can ask like hey can you give me feedback on this and then you might get feedback on like where there should be extra periods or commas you know and you're like I was really looking for feedback around design elements and why didn't they do that like well, because I didn't set the expectations around it I'm thinking of that as you're saying that almost like setting the expectations of where are you Where are the roadblocks What are you trying to figure out what kind of resources are you seeking out could lead to more profitable brainstorming sessions
Mike Peacock
Yeah, I find that too I we've all done it you know what do you think of this and you got this very long paragraph on everything but what you actually wanted the feedback on Oh yeah, I've learned to we all do that.
Amy Petricek
I also appreciate that you said you know any points a good point because I think when I think of the ADDIE process like a lot of the analyze and design component of Addie are more like the logical maybe even development or like the logical This is when you might want to brainstorm with someone but sometimes implementation like I think about communication strategies about how to implement a course at times some brainstorming sessions around the best way to do that are really helpful or even what is the best what is the best way to measure this course having brainstorming sessions around that so I was even thinking about the ADDIE process as you were saying that like you're right, yeah, any part of that process
Mike Peacock
it's a process and it just broken down so we can digest it and and communicate and you know, section it out but it's all a process. So at any time during that process, beginning middle or end, it is always the time that for ideas to be flowing.
Amy Petricek
I know you can't see him but like his hands are like gesturing out there. He's flowing even right now he's brainstorming.
Mike Peacock
brainstorming right now.
Amy Petricek
They said from the beginning like I had to I was trying to figure out how to do a thing in InDesign and he was like I can show you how to do that on top of them those ideas like he gave me additional ideas as to how to distribute the document as well and I was like, golly Mike Thank you like this. This project is so much better because you shared your tidbits your wisdom, your advice and having, like I said earlier, having people outside of your sphere is really helpful to bring in more of a broad ideas, broad concepts outside of what maybe the norm is within your team.
Mike Peacock
But it was also successful because you reached out and said, hey, let's brainstorm or I have a question. And that, like you mentioned, is is a tough thing about I don't want to bother anyone, this is important, I can figure it out or, or anything like that. But no, it's just I would like someone else's opinion. And there's nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with that. And look what happened just by reaching out, it reminds
Amy Petricek
me of the learning process. You know, like, if you just sit here and are like, I can't figure this out. And you're like, I don't understand this thing. And like, maybe if I just read 30 more pages of this, I'll figure it out. Or maybe if I watch 12 more YouTube videos, I'll figure it out. And one of the things Mike and I were talking about before this show is like the 70 2010 model where 10% of the learning happens really formally 20% happens like socially and with your peers. And then 70% happens on the job. And I was saying, I think that 20% kind of gets overlooked. And that's kind of where some of this brainstorming collaboration stuff actually sits and has a lot of value.
Mike Peacock
I completely agree everyone, everyone kind of skipped over that 20% You're absolutely right, because we focus on the 70% of the of on the job. And we talked about the first 10% but that 20% of people just talk about it and kind of float over but they don't never get into it. Hey, we're getting into it. It's our 20% we own it,
Amy Petricek
we are the 20% We are the 20% So what are some tips and tricks you have for leading good brainstorming sessions, we've all participated in great ones, and also those ones that have been less than productive. So what makes a good one Mike,
Mike Peacock
I like to videotape or set up a recorder in the room to capture everything. Because a lot of people are talking hopefully during a brainstorming session. So I want to capture some of that. I want to talk to each job I tell everyone Hey, I'm recording this or there's the camera look at the red light and also a way for me to add markers. So if I'm talking to someone, it's a great idea. I'll look I'll look directly at the camera and go Good idea. And then so when I'm flipping through the footage later, I see myself going good idea. And I know that's a good idea. So my little markers I use I use whiteboards, I hand out paper to people and and i pencils or pens or whatever you're comfortable writing in because as a as a songwriter, I can't I cannot write I have to write in pencil. I don't know why I have to brainstorm and pencil because to me, everything is a good idea. So if I write something I don't like it, I cross it out. Just so I can still see I don't erase it, I don't scribble it out like everything's there. So on whiteboards I'm writing and writing and crossing and sentences aren't sentences and spelling doesn't count and it's just in my perfect brainstorming it's just a regurgitation of ideas I structures okay I think structure can sometimes be a hindrance on brainstorming and I get the exercises you know write down on posted or Miro was great but for me it's too slow in the brainstorming process as you as you can kind of hear I'm a little I don't know caffeinated or hyper passionate is passionate we use passionate so in my brainstorming sessions it's a lot of just go and just see what comes out and we'll look at it all later.
Amy Petricek
This is just a curiosity question currently are you doing are you still remote Are you back in person for work so I'm just kind of curious about these brainstorming sessions if they're happening in person
Mike Peacock
they are right now we're still remote so we do we do brainstorm I have to slow down a little bit because I have to write it and so I do use the whiteboard sometimes zoom I know there's a way I can so I could so I have a writing I use my iPad as a pad of paper so I do digital notes on my iPad so I could set up a zoom and then call in on my iPad and then put that as my screen so then I could write on it and so people could see all the writing good luck reading but if they could see the writing so that way I can write really quick because I can't type so if I'm trying to type ideas I I'm sorry I'm old school I can't I'm worried about spelling or something when I type I don't know why probably grades my brain somehow but that's that's how i do i don't know
Amy Petricek
i was in a brainstorming session earlier this week and we had done like jam board so we all had put these like post it notes all over the board and we were trying to circle them and things and we'd like wait for the person to like click the circle icon and then like draw a circle around it and then send it to the back and then get the text and then let you know it's like you know with a marker whiteboard markers like zoop zoop done you know and so we're all kind of just waiting and navigating this weird virtual space even in brainstorming
Mike Peacock
it is it is tough I you know I that's and I understand I completely get the organization of it and moving the circle and but I think it to me it just kills energy. I'd rather just record it and everyone just yell and then just go back and type up the notes later.
Amy Petricek
I was gonna ask See, my next question is like, what do you do with all of the ideas post brainstorming session? It sounds like maybe you type them out and then distribute them or make decisions based off of that, or Yeah, I
Mike Peacock
would, I would write it out, take some notes, say this is, you know, what we've talked about, and we'll come up with, you know, again, kind of planting the seed for the next meeting kind of thing, or let's, or, hey, let's focus on this topic, or the subject over this big giant topic that we're talking about and, and kind of go from there, or from working with someone with song lyrics or something here is what I came up for the chorus. Now you do back and forth until we until we meet again, kind of thing. So you know, I like to chaos and then organize.
Amy Petricek
I think that's important to highlight too, that there, it's not just like brainstorming session and done, but usually that brainstorming session, what evolves from that, or next steps, or a project plan or scope or something like that, that is the magic of brainstorming is taking that chaos, and then like making it into like, either succinct language or a plan or a project overview or something that is the real magic. I feel like a brainstorming the real me. I don't know if I'd say the real magic, but that's a key component of the magic.
Mike Peacock
It's a key ingredient I agree. You know, cuz you have to just get out those ideas and then figure it out, though, you know, I know we know we understand the topic, we understand what we want to focus on. But you know, we'll figure out how to get there. We'll figure out all the details in the roles and, and all that stuff later on. And let's just, you know, get some good ideas down, you know, to each his own however you get to it, and however what you enjoy, you enjoy it a rock. I'm just wondering,
Amy Petricek
I have been grateful to continue to learn about collaborative brainstorming with you. But I'm ready for the rapid round questions. Mike,
Mike Peacock
are you right? Bring them on and bring them on?
Amy Petricek
All right, the first one you're going to finish my sentence learning is
Mike Peacock
learning is essential learning is human learning is living.
Amy Petricek
I love the facial expression there. Yes.
Mike Peacock
picture in your mind, listeners picture in your mind.
Amy Petricek
When you're mustering up the courage to learn something new, What song do you put on? called the
Mike Peacock
energy by shinedown?
Amy Petricek
What kind of music is this?
Mike Peacock
So I guess alternative rock probably from 10 plus years ago, that that one gets me going no matter what project I'm on 10,000 horses by candlebox, or heroes by David Bowie. So those are my top three. Okay,
Amy Petricek
I've got to check some of those out and others I've heard of. So thank you for adding to my playlist, you're asked to do a brand new task with a skill set you do not yet have where do you turn
Mike Peacock
YouTube, as always everyone does then maybe LinkedIn learning or some more professional advice. And then to my network, my wonderful, wonderful network of colleagues and LinkedIn learning peeps, and everyone, you just build up a network of people in your life with so many different skills. So I know there's pretty much nothing that anyone could throw my way that, you know, I couldn't figure out because of my support. And because of technology.
Amy Petricek
I second all that I think I use technology and I also rely on my network as well. Alright, last one, without learning.
Mike Peacock
without learning, I would fall asleep. I think it's without learning. I mean, or I would just get in my spaceship and fly away. I don't know without learning. I think I just be bored.
Amy Petricek
My brain needs that stimulation as well. Yeah,
Mike Peacock
I need it as you can tell. So Mike,
Amy Petricek
18:29
if someone wanted to be in contact with you after listening to this episode, what would be the best way to do that? And also, if by chance, there's anything you're working on of late that you'd love to share with us, we'd love to hear about it.
Mike Peacock
Probably search me on LinkedIn like peacock, the one that had aristocrat gaming connect with me there Hey, let's collaborate let's brainstorm projects I'm working on I'm working on right now I have an idea for a digital comic books. I'm kind of worried. Yeah, I you know, I'm into the interactive PDFs and all that stuff. So I want I'm going to need someone that can draw. I have an idea for something just for me. I'm sure I can use the training eventually. But yeah, some kind of digital something rather with a comic strip or comic book, more information to come. How fun keep you busy. Thanks
Amy Petricek
so much, Mike for sharing all about collaborative brainstorming with us today. I also want to give a shout out to you my listeners for learning with us today. Until next time, stay open, receptive and time.