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The process guidance revolution: from brainstorming frustration to innovation success

Creative process
The article highlights how professional process coaching makes the difference between chaotic, ineffective brainstorming sessions and successful innovation processes. It highlights that certified CPS process facilitators help teams generate up to 600% more ideas by mastering the art of separating process from content. The article explains why many organizations have bad experiences with brainstorming sessions (lack of structure, preparation and psychological safety) and how a well-trained facilitator avoids these pitfalls.
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Introduction

In a world where innovation drives business success, it is becoming increasingly clear that effective process coaching plays a critical role in unlocking the creative potential of teams and organizations. Organizing a thinking session is no easy task.

It requires more than just getting a group of people together and hoping for good ideas. The success of a creative session depends on the quality of the process facilitation, and at o2c2 we believe that well-trained CPS (Creative Problem Solving) process facilitators make the difference in this.

This blog article shows how professional process coaching makes the fundamental difference between ineffective, chaotic brainstorming sessions and successful innovation processes. It highlights that many organizations have bad experiences with thinking sessions due to lack of preparation, structure and psychological safety, while certified CPS process facilitators help teams generate up to 600% more ideas by mastering the art of separating process from content.

Using the evidence-based CPS 6.1 framework, professional facilitators create an environment where teams can fully focus on solving complex problems, resulting in measurable improvements such as 43% more productivity in meetings and 55% better facilitation skills. The article positions process facilitation not as a “nice-to-have” but as an essential competency for organizational success, with the facilitator serving as a process architect who provides structure, safety and focus so that participants can harness their full creative potential for innovation and problem solving….

The essence of process coaching

A well-executed thinking session is no accident. Its success depends on a carefully designed process guided by an expert facilitator. As Scott Isaksen and William Shephard emphasize in their research on high-performance teams, the role of a facilitator is much more than that of an organizer or note-taker. A facilitator is a process architect who designs and guides the structure and dynamics of a session so that participants can focus fully on generating ideas and solving problems.

A certified CPS process facilitator masters the art of separating process from content. This means the facilitator is responsible for monitoring progress, applying appropriate techniques and creating a safe environment in which participants can think freely. This allows teams to focus fully on solving complex problems and developing innovative solutions.

Why professional counseling is essential

Many organizations have had bad experiences with brainstorming sessions that were chaotic, disjointed or ineffective. This is often because the sessions were not properly prepared or supervised. Research by Paul Paulus (University of Texas) shows that poorly executed sessions are often characterized by a lack of structure, focus and psychological safety. This leads to frustration, lost time and missed opportunities.

A well-trained CPS process facilitator avoids these pitfalls by:

  • Preparation: the facilitator ensures that the objectives of the session are clear and that participants are informed and prepared prior to the session.
  • Structure: using the CPS 6.1 framework, the facilitator provides a clear structure that guides participants through the various stages of the creative process, from problem definition to implementation.
  • Psychological safety: the facilitator creates an environment in which participants feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and share unusual ideas.
  • Focus on results: The facilitator monitors progress and ensures that the session does not get bogged down in endless discussions, but leads to concrete, actionable results.

The impact of certified CPS process facilitators

The difference a well-trained CPS process facilitator can make is impressive. A study by Isaksen and Gaulin (2005) found that teams guided by certified facilitators generated 400% more ideas than teams without professional guidance. Some teams even increased their productivity by nearly 600%. This shows that professional process supervision is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential factor for success.

In addition, participants in CPS training report significant improvements in their ability to facilitate teams and manage creative processes. An impact study by CPSB (Creative Problem Solving Group) shows that after the training, participants:

  • reported 43% more productivity in their meetings.
  • 55% were better able to facilitate teams.
  • 60% were better at managing differences within teams.

The core competencies of a CPS process supervisor

A certified CPS process facilitator possesses a wide range of skills that are essential for successfully guiding creative thinking sessions. These include:

Ability to design a session tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the organization.

Monitoring and directing interactions within the group to promote cooperation and synergy.

Recognizing and strategically deploying the different thinking styles and problem-solving preferences of team members.

Ability to respond to unexpected situations and adapt the session to achieve desired results.

Application of CPS Tools: The effective use of CPS tools and methodologies to support and accelerate the creative process.

From theory to practice: the way forward

At o2c2, we have more than 30 years of experience guiding creative processes and training CPS process facilitators. Our approach combines scientific insights with practical applicability, helping organizations get the most out of their thinking sessions.

Want to experience for yourself how professional process coaching can make a difference?

Get in touch to find out how we can support your organization in achieving innovative breakthroughs. Whether you want to organize a one-time session or train an internal facilitator, we offer customized solutions to fit your specific needs.

Schedule a no-obligation consultation and find out how we can help your organization take creativity and innovation to the next level. Because at o2c2 we believe: the best ideas are not born by chance, but by a well-designed and professionally guided process