The types of brainstormers in every session

As per definition, it's to 'hold a group discussion to produce ideas'. Personally, if I were to define brainstorming, it would be 'holding a group discussion where chaos ensues until the least expected person comes up with something meaningful'.

We all have to brainstorm at some point of our lives. Whether it is for a course presentation, an official meeting on a particular project, or planning an outing with your friends and/or family that will end up being cancelled entirely after two days or so. And all the people involved in the brainstorming session have to be engaged in the entire ordeal, like all the cogs of a clock. And just like the cogs of a clock, the cogs are of varying shapes and sizes. In this case, the cogs are either too active, or too passive.

Don't understand where yours truly is going with this? Don't worry, that's what lists are for. Have a list of the types of people you'd usually have in a brainstorming session:

THE DEBATER

This is the most active member in the group. This individual will constantly find every flaw or opportunity in every idea thrown about in the discussion, even if the idea was pitched jokingly to lighten the air in the group.

Although quite disruptive, their arguments do make a lot of sense. Along with the fact that they help bring a strong base to the ideas pitched in the group discussion, they sometimes even bring up points in the ideas pitched as jokes that make the mock-ideas sound feasible.

THE INNOVATOR

Mostly silent throughout the discussion and unimpressed by the progress achieved, this person usually ends up with brilliant one-liner ideas that will require very little arguing to build a base under it. Either that or they will throw a sarcastic remark that will make the individual sound like a snob.

THE 'INNOVATOR'

The anti-innovator character functions much like The Innovator, but this individual's ideas don't need much arguing to reject it. Plus, his/her sarcastic remarks end up backfiring instead.

THE COMIC RELIEF

This individual is a saint in the disguise of an ordinary guy sitting beside you. The Comic Relief will break the monotonous vibe in the group session into a feat of laughter for a few seconds before the entire thing becomes serious again. Cherish their existence. Bask in their humour. And be sure to have this spirit of joy in all your group discussions and brainstorming sessions.

THE LOST SOUL

Generally unaware of whatever is going on during the discussion, this poor soul tries to pitch in as much as he/she can. But thanks to how oblivious this individual is about the entire conversation, there is no salvation from the rebukes the soul will have to carry for having his/her mind wander off.

THE ABSOLUTE PASSIVE

While the Lost Soul tries to have some engagement in the discussion, the Absolute Passive will intentionally ignore everything that is going on in the entire discussion. It is likely that this rebel was forced to be involved in the entire brainstorming session. Whether it is for the grades, keeping a job, or to not be called 'the family black sheep', he/she will sit down silently, blissfully turning away from all the chatter.