What Is Rolestorming? Rolestorming In A Nutshell

Rolestorming as a term was first mentioned by personal development guru Rick Griggs in the 1980s. Rolestorming is a brainstorming technique where participants pretend they are other people when sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Aspect	Explanation
Concept	– Rolestorming is a brainstorming technique that encourages participants to take on different roles or personas to generate creative ideas and solutions. It is a variation of traditional brainstorming and is designed to overcome inhibitions, promote fresh perspectives, and stimulate innovative thinking. Rolestorming allows individuals to temporarily step into the shoes of others, such as fictional characters, historical figures, or professionals from different fields, to explore problems or topics from diverse viewpoints. This approach can lead to novel and unexpected ideas by breaking free from conventional thinking patterns.
Key Components	– Rolestorming involves several key components: – Roles or Personas: Participants are assigned or choose roles to embody during the brainstorming session. These roles can be fictional characters, experts in specific fields, or even objects (e.g., a chair or a tree). – Creative Exploration: Participants think, speak, and generate ideas from the perspective of the role they’ve assumed, allowing them to think beyond their usual limitations. – Idea Generation: The primary goal is to generate a wide range of ideas and potential solutions, often without judgment or criticism during the initial phase. – Collaboration: Rolestorming can be done individually or in groups, encouraging collaboration and the exchange of diverse viewpoints.
Application	– Rolestorming is applied in various settings, including creative problem-solving, innovation workshops, team-building exercises, and product development. It is particularly useful when tackling complex problems that require unconventional thinking and when seeking innovative solutions to challenges. Rolestorming can also be employed in education to enhance students’ critical thinking and creativity.
Process Flow	– Rolestorming follows a structured process: – Role Assignment: Participants are assigned or choose roles to take on during the session. – Creative Exploration: Participants immerse themselves in their assigned roles, adopting the mindset, characteristics, and perspectives of the personas they’ve assumed. – Idea Generation: While embodying their roles, participants generate ideas, solutions, or responses to a specific problem or question. – Idea Sharing: Ideas are shared and discussed within the group, often followed by a more traditional brainstorming phase for refining and prioritizing concepts.
Benefits	– Rolestorming offers several benefits: – Diverse Perspectives: It encourages participants to think from various viewpoints, fostering creativity and innovation. – Reduced Inhibition: Rolestorming can help individuals overcome the fear of judgment, as they are expressing ideas from the perspective of a role rather than their own. – Idea Generation: It leads to the generation of a wide range of ideas, some of which may be unconventional and breakthrough solutions. – Team Building: When done in groups, rolestorming enhances collaboration and team cohesion.
Challenges	– Challenges associated with rolestorming may include: – Role Immersion: Participants may find it challenging to fully immerse themselves in their assigned roles, leading to less authentic contributions. – Role Appropriateness: Selecting appropriate roles for a given problem or context can be challenging, as some roles may not be relevant or conducive to idea generation.
Real-World Application	– Rolestorming is commonly used in creative industries, such as advertising and design, to spark innovative ideas. It is also applied in team-building workshops, product design, and scenario planning exercises in various sectors.

Understanding rolestorming

Griggs developed his approach to address several shortfalls of a traditional brainstorming session. These include:

A tendency for people to support the first or most obvious idea.
A tendency for one or two individuals to overshadow quieter types during the ideation phase.
An inability for some individuals to consider other perspectives or think creatively on-the-spot, and
The anxiety some feel when suggesting ideas in a group setting or to those they do not know well.

Rolestorming is used to help a brainstorming team overcome their inhibitions during a meeting.

In theory, each team member is more likely to generate creative ideas while pretending to be someone else.

Lastly, it is important to note that rolestorming is not an idea-generating process on its own. Rather, it should be incorporated to complement existing brainstorming approaches.

Rolestorming types

The identity each team member assumes will largely depend on the task at hand. For example, a participant may play:

A senior member of corporate management.
A superhero, supervillain, or another fictional character with a well-understood character type.
A troublesome or demanding customer or client.
A prominent historical figure.

Whichever identity is assumed, each participant must be able to describe the personal qualities and motivations of their new character. They must also understand their real or imagined strengths and weaknesses and refer to themselves in the first person when speaking.

Implementing rolestorming

The most creative rolestorming sessions occur by focusing on opportunities first, preventions second, and problems third.

Creative ideas should be written on a large sheet of paper or whiteboard.

Rolestorming is then graphically represented by a bulls-eye in the middle with outer rings like an archery target.

The largest and most outer ring houses creative ideas, with the second-largest ring displaying the winners from the first vote of ideas.

Immediately adjacent to the bullseye is the third ring, which displays the winners from the second vote.

To be voted on, each creative idea must answer the original profile statement in terms of opportunities, preventions, and problems.

The center circle shows the idea representative of group consensus.

To incorporate rolestorming into a typical brainstorming process, follow these steps:

The facilitator gives each team member a few minutes to think about their role and get into character

As mentioned earlier, the individual needs to consider their new identity’s personality, worldview, strengths, weaknesses, and problem-solving ability.

With everyone assuming the identity of someone else, the facilitator begins the first stage of ideation

Everyone must be given a chance to speak from their unique perspective, with a jovial and somewhat informal atmosphere encouraged.

If appropriate, the facilitator can encourage individuals to interact with each other.

The facilitator then begins a second and third round of rolestorming, with new ideas written next to existing ideas in the outer circle

To keep things fresh, participants may choose to adopt a new identity for each subsequent round.

The list of generated ideas should then be analyzed. Which are the most relevant to the profile statement?

Which ideas are actionable, feasible, and attainable in the timeframe specified?

Key takeaways

Rolestorming is a brainstorming technique where participants pretend they are other people when sharing their thoughts and ideas.
Team members engaged in a rolestorming session can assume any identity provided it has some relevance to the task or problem at hand. These identities include a senior executive, irate customer, superhero, or prominent historical figure.
Rolestorming is not a standalone ideation strategy. Instead, it must be incorporated into one of the many brainstorming frameworks available to businesses today.

Key Highlights of Rolestorming:

Origin and Purpose: Rolestorming is a brainstorming technique introduced by personal development guru Rick Griggs in the 1980s. It aims to enhance traditional brainstorming by overcoming its limitations, such as favoring obvious ideas and the dominance of a few participants.
Addressing Shortfalls in Brainstorming:
- Rolestorming was developed to address issues in traditional brainstorming, including early idea support, overshadowing of quieter participants, difficulties in considering multiple perspectives, and anxiety in group settings.
Enhancing Creativity Through Pretense:
- In rolestorming, participants assume different personas or identities when sharing ideas.
- Pretending to be someone else encourages participants to think more creatively and from diverse perspectives.
Complement to Brainstorming:
- Rolestorming is not a standalone ideation process but is intended to complement existing brainstorming approaches.
Types of Identities:
- Participants can adopt various identities depending on the task, including senior corporate figures, fictional characters, demanding customers, or historical figures.
- Each participant must understand and embody the characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations of their chosen identity.
Implementation:
- Creative rolestorming sessions typically prioritize opportunities, preventions, and problems.
- Ideas are graphically represented on a target-like diagram, with the outer rings containing creative ideas, winners from votes, and the central circle representing the group consensus idea.
- Rolestorming is incorporated into a brainstorming process by having participants assume roles, consider their character’s attributes, and engage in multiple rounds of ideation from these perspectives.
Analyzing Generated Ideas:
- Generated ideas are analyzed for relevance to the problem statement, feasibility, and actionability within the specified timeframe.
Key Takeaways:
- Rolestorming encourages creative thinking by having participants adopt different personas during brainstorming.
- It offers a fresh perspective and helps overcome common brainstorming challenges.
- Rolestorming should be integrated into existing brainstorming frameworks to enhance the ideation process.

Related Concepts	Description	When to Apply
Rolestorming	Rolestorming is a brainstorming technique where participants take on different roles or perspectives to generate ideas and solutions. By adopting personas or imaginary characters, individuals can overcome cognitive biases, stimulate creativity, and explore diverse viewpoints. Rolestorming encourages empathy, flexibility, and lateral thinking, leading to novel insights and innovative problem-solving approaches.	– When seeking fresh perspectives or creative solutions to complex challenges or problems – When brainstorming ideas for product development, marketing strategies, or process improvement initiatives – When fostering collaboration and team engagement in brainstorming sessions or ideation workshops – When addressing groupthink or cognitive biases by encouraging participants to adopt alternative viewpoints and explore unconventional ideas
Creative Problem Solving	Rolestorming is a valuable tool for creative problem-solving by encouraging participants to step into the shoes of different stakeholders or personas affected by the problem. By empathizing with diverse perspectives, individuals can uncover hidden insights, identify novel solutions, and generate innovative approaches to address complex problems effectively.	– When tackling complex or ambiguous problems that require innovative solutions or outside-the-box thinking – When analyzing root causes and understanding the impact of problems from multiple perspectives – When brainstorming potential solutions or interventions to address identified problems or challenges – When fostering a culture of innovation and creativity within teams or organizations by encouraging diverse thinking and idea generation
Empathy Building	Rolestorming promotes empathy building by encouraging individuals to understand and appreciate the experiences, needs, and motivations of others. By immersing themselves in different roles or personas, participants develop empathy skills, enhance interpersonal understanding, and foster a deeper appreciation for diverse viewpoints and lived experiences. Empathy building is essential for effective communication, collaboration, and relationship-building in personal and professional contexts.	– When improving communication and interpersonal relationships within teams or organizations – When developing customer-centric products, services, or solutions that meet the needs and preferences of diverse user groups – When resolving conflicts or addressing challenges that arise from misunderstandings or miscommunications – When promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering empathy and understanding across different cultural, social, or demographic backgrounds
User-Centered Design	Rolestorming is often used in user-centered design processes to empathize with end-users and stakeholders and uncover insights that inform product or service development. By assuming the roles of potential users or customers, designers can gain valuable perspectives on user needs, preferences, and pain points, guiding the design process to create solutions that resonate with target audiences and deliver meaningful user experiences.	– When conducting user research or usability testing to gather insights into user behaviors, attitudes, and preferences – When ideating and prototyping new product features or design concepts based on user personas and scenarios – When evaluating existing products or services from the perspective of end-users to identify usability issues or areas for improvement – When collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate user feedback and insights into the design and development process
Innovation Management	Rolestorming plays a crucial role in innovation management by fostering a culture of creativity, experimentation, and idea generation within organizations. By encouraging employees to adopt different roles or perspectives, organizations can tap into diverse expertise, knowledge, and insights, fueling innovation and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Rolestorming sessions enable teams to explore unconventional ideas, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of conventional thinking to drive breakthrough innovation.	– When establishing innovation labs, incubators, or design thinking workshops to drive organizational innovation – When launching ideation challenges or innovation competitions to crowdsource ideas and solutions from employees – When implementing agile methodologies or lean startup principles to foster rapid experimentation and iteration – When cultivating a culture of innovation and intrapreneurship by empowering employees to contribute creative ideas and pursue innovative projects
Problem Framing	Rolestorming can help in framing problems from different perspectives, enabling teams to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges they face. By adopting various roles, participants can identify different aspects of the problem, uncover underlying causes, and explore potential solutions from multiple angles. This approach promotes holistic problem-solving and prevents teams from overlooking critical factors or making biased assumptions when defining problem statements.	– When defining problem statements or project objectives in multidisciplinary teams or cross-functional settings – When conducting root cause analysis to identify systemic issues or recurring problems within organizations – When exploring complex problems that involve diverse stakeholders, conflicting interests, or ambiguous requirements – When facilitating problem-solving workshops or problem-framing exercises to align stakeholders and set clear objectives for collaborative problem-solving initiatives
Perspective-taking	Rolestorming encourages perspective-taking by prompting participants to consider situations or issues from different viewpoints. By temporarily stepping into the roles of others, individuals can broaden their understanding, challenge their own assumptions, and develop a more nuanced appreciation of complex issues. Perspective-taking fosters empathy, tolerance, and open-mindedness, facilitating constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and effective conflict resolution in diverse social and professional contexts.	– When facilitating diversity training, cultural competency workshops, or conflict resolution sessions to promote understanding and inclusivity – When negotiating or mediating conflicts between parties with divergent interests or perspectives – When fostering collaboration and teamwork in multicultural or cross-functional environments – When building leadership skills that require the ability to empathize with diverse stakeholders and make informed decisions that consider multiple viewpoints
Scenario Planning	Rolestorming can be integrated into scenario planning exercises to explore alternative futures and anticipate potential challenges or opportunities. By adopting different roles within hypothetical scenarios, participants can simulate decision-making processes, evaluate strategic options, and assess the implications of various courses of action. Scenario planning with rolestorming helps organizations develop resilience, adaptability, and contingency plans to navigate uncertainty and mitigate risks effectively.	– When conducting strategic planning sessions or foresight exercises to anticipate changes in the business environment – When preparing for potential disruptions, crises, or unforeseen events that may impact organizational performance – When exploring strategic alternatives or testing assumptions about future trends, technologies, or market dynamics – When developing resilience strategies to enhance organizational agility and responsiveness in dynamic and uncertain environments
Improv Techniques	Rolestorming draws inspiration from improvisational theater techniques, where performers spontaneously adopt different characters or roles to create engaging narratives and scenes. Similarly, in business contexts, rolestorming leverages improv techniques to foster creativity, spontaneity, and collaboration among participants. By embracing the principles of improvisation, teams can overcome inhibitions, unleash their creativity, and generate innovative ideas in a supportive and dynamic environment.	– When facilitating team-building activities, icebreaker exercises, or brainstorming sessions to foster creativity and collaboration – When promoting a culture of experimentation, risk-taking, and adaptability within organizations – When seeking to break down communication barriers and encourage active participation in meetings or workshops – When building presentation skills, storytelling abilities, and emotional intelligence through experiential learning and role-playing exercises
Critical Thinking	Rolestorming can enhance critical thinking skills by encouraging individuals to analyze problems from multiple perspectives, challenge assumptions, and evaluate evidence objectively. By assuming different roles or viewpoints, participants develop the ability to think critically, assess complex situations, and make informed decisions based on reasoned judgment and evidence-based reasoning. Critical thinking is essential for problem-solving, decision-making, and effective leadership in diverse professional contexts.	– When facilitating workshops, seminars, or training programs to develop critical thinking skills among employees or students – When evaluating arguments, proposals, or claims to assess their validity, reliability, and relevance – When conducting root cause analysis or situation assessments to diagnose problems and develop effective solutions – When fostering a culture of inquiry, skepticism, and intellectual curiosity within organizations to promote evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement
Conflict Resolution	Rolestorming can be used as a tool for conflict resolution by enabling parties to understand each other’s perspectives, interests, and concerns. By adopting different roles in simulated scenarios, participants can empathize with opposing viewpoints, identify common ground, and explore mutually acceptable solutions to resolve conflicts constructively. Rolestorming promotes active listening, empathy, and collaboration, facilitating meaningful dialogue and negotiation between conflicting parties.	– When mediating disputes, disagreements, or interpersonal conflicts in organizational or interpersonal settings – When facilitating team-building exercises or group discussions to address tensions and promote harmony – When training managers or leaders in conflict resolution techniques and negotiation skills – When establishing conflict resolution mechanisms or peer mediation programs to address conflicts proactively and prevent escalation