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Rolestorming: A Technique to Encourage Widely Divergent Ideas

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Rolestorming is a technique that encourages group members to take on other people’s identities while brainstorming. This reduces the inhibitions that many people feel when sharing their ideas with a group, and it helps people come up with ideas that they may not have otherwise considered.


Rick Griggs developed the rolestorming method in the early 1980s. Dr Arthur VanGundy then described it in his 2004 book, “101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem-Solving.”

Griggs developed the technique to help people overcome their inhibitions during group brainstorming sessions. The theory is that if you pretend to be someone else, you’ll feel more comfortable putting ideas forward. This is because taking on another role distances you from owning an idea, which helps you speak up.

What’s more, rolestorming is fun, and it’s great for helping team members feel more comfortable sharing ideas with each other. It also builds confidence, because shy or less assertive people feel empowered to speak up.

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