for Employers
Inspiring Team Innovation Against the Odds
Turn tight budgets into big opportunities—discover how a creative approach to brainstorming can fuel team innovation and inspire impactful ideas.
As budgets tighten, many professionals find their job descriptions reading more like small novels, while the time and resources to truly innovate keep shrinking. The “do more with less” mantra has replaced time once spent on critical thinking, analysis, and creative problem-solving—the very elements that set teams apart and drive satisfaction and success.
But what if we could create space for breakthrough thinking even within these constraints? Could we, metaphorically speaking, make pigs fly?
At 12twenty, we believe innovation isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Enter the “Breaking Boundaries” exercise—an engaging and structured approach to revitalizing creativity and collaborative problem-solving. Over a focused 90-minute session, teams come together to think big, challenge norms, and generate fresh ideas. Here’s how it works:
Unlike the high-stakes style of Shark Tank, this session is about real-time idea generation without judgment. The team starts by identifying top challenges or improvement areas—anything from streamlining onboarding to revamping client communications. With 7–10 minutes to capture ideas on a digital board, the group votes to choose a single issue to tackle. Now, the fun begins.
In this phase, team members individually brainstorm ideas for 15 minutes, encouraged to set aside logic and think creatively—yes, imagining that pigs can fly! Known as “brainwriting,” this exercise helps bring out unique ideas without traditional constraints. For example, if the issue is parking, possible solutions might range from valet service to rideshare hovercrafts. Outlandish as these ideas may seem, they spark the kind of “what if?” thinking that leads to practical innovations.
Each team member then passes their ideas to another colleague, who builds on the list with fresh thoughts. This silent, iterative exchange continues until everyone has contributed to every list. By the end, each team member’s original ideas have expanded, fueled by everyone’s input and unbound by typical restrictions.
Once individual ideas have been documented, the group reconvenes to review, discuss, and refine. By ensuring equal participation, everyone’s voice is represented, and no single perspective dominates. From the mix of practical and far-fetched, the team collectively selects the most promising ideas. While some concepts may not make the cut, even the impractical ones inspire out-of-the-box thinking that drives real innovation.
The final outcome is more than just an idea—it’s a concrete proposal that the team can present to leadership. Often, these sessions lead to the formation of new task forces or committees tasked with refining or implementing the chosen solution. And with the whole team invested in the idea, the path to change becomes smoother and more collaborative.
At 12twenty, we’re committed to helping teams break through constraints and rethink possibilities. Curious how we can help your team find fresh solutions and enhance your approach to problem-solving? Let’s talk about what’s possible.
Gallup. “Employee Engagement.”
