What Else Could Work? A Story About Smarter Idea Brainstorming

 

The Power of “What Else?”—How One Question Shifted Everything

Anna stood at the whiteboard, marker in hand. Around the table, five teammates looked stuck.

As marketing manager at a mid-sized software firm, she had called a last-minute brainstorming session. One of their top clients had threatened to leave. They needed a plan—fast.

“Okay, team,” she said. “They say we’re not innovating fast enough. We need fresh ideas.”

The room went quiet. Then Jake, their newest hire, raised his hand.

“What if we send a monthly newsletter with our latest features?”

Anna smiled. Finally, something.

She scribbled “Monthly Newsletter” on the board.

“That’s a good start,” she said. “We can add updates, case studies, maybe industry tips.”

It felt like a win. Under pressure, even small ideas feel big.

But then she noticed something.

Tom, their most senior team member, tapped his pen with a furrowed brow. Lisa tilted her head, like she was thinking. Even Jake looked like he had more to say.

The Moment Everything Shifted

Anna paused.

She had been ready to end the meeting and run with the newsletter plan. But something told her to slow down.

“This idea is solid,” she said, “but before we run with it, let me ask—what else could we do?”

The room went still.

Then Tom leaned in. “What if we involve the client more directly? Maybe a client advisory board?”

Lisa added, “Or host innovation workshops where they help shape the product?”

Jake said, “What about assigning a client success manager? Someone to meet with them weekly?”

Anna’s marker flew across the board. New ideas filled the space. Options they never would’ve seen five minutes earlier.

Where Teams Often Go Wrong

This happens all the time. A deadline looms. Stress builds. The first decent idea gets picked—and everything moves too fast from there.

I’ve seen teams launch full campaigns from the first idea tossed out. Meanwhile, a competitor comes up with something way better—just by staying in creative mode a little longer.

Most people think the first idea is the best. But usually, it’s just the first one your brain finds.

There’s a big gap between “good enough” and “great.”

Why Two Words Make All the Difference

Anna’s shift wasn’t about some fancy method or tool. It came down to two simple words: What else?

That question changed the room.

Here’s why it works:

When you hear a good idea, pause. Write it down. Then ask, “What else could we try?”

Don’t rush. Let ideas flow, even if they seem off. Sometimes the best ones come after your brain warms up.

Capture everything. Even the odd ones. Those tangents often lead to gold.

What Happened Next

They stayed in that room for twenty more minutes. The board filled with ideas—some simple, some bold.

Client summits. Slack channels for feedback. Innovation labs. Even video calls with the CEO.

Suddenly, the original newsletter idea looked small on its own.

Tom spoke up. “What if we combine these? Advisory board meetings could shape the newsletter content.”

Lisa added, “And the success manager could run those meetings and write the updates.”

Now they weren’t just saving a client—they were building a system that could transform client relationships.

Why This Works Over and Over Again

Here’s what’s happening in your brain:

When you’re under pressure, your mind grabs the first solution. It feels safe. Fast. Done.

But really, that’s just the warm-up.

Your brain can go further. It just needs space.

Writing down that first idea clears the clutter. It opens up room for more.

And when you choose too early, your view narrows. You stop exploring.

The Real-World Results

Three months later, Anna’s team had launched their advisory board with eight clients—including the one that almost left.

Those meetings led to dozens of product improvements. Two of the new features became top selling points.

Their newsletter? Clients actually shared it. It felt helpful, not salesy.

And that client who was ready to walk? They signed a two-year deal—and referred three others.

But the real win? Anna’s team changed how they think. Brainstorms became deeper, calmer, and more creative.

People spoke up more. Even the wild ideas were welcomed.

How You Can Use This in Your Work

You don’t need a huge team or crisis to use this approach. It works for anything—marketing plans, new features, team improvements.

Here’s how to get started:

• When someone shares a solid idea, write it down. Then ask, “What else could we try?”
• Let people know this isn’t about rejecting ideas. It’s about widening the view.
• Capture every thought—even the strange ones.
• Once you’ve got a list, look for combos. Often, the best plans blend two or three ideas.
• Make your final pick after that exploration—not before.

The Confidence That Comes From Digging Deeper

The biggest win? Confidence.

When Anna pitched the plan to leadership, she didn’t just say, “Here’s our idea.”

She said, “Here’s what we explored. Here’s why this option works best.”

That’s how you build trust. And it’s how you get noticed.

Your Next Brainstorming Session

Next time someone tosses out an idea in a meeting, try this:

“That’s interesting. What else could we try?”

Let the room breathe. Let the ideas flow.

You might be surprised at what comes up.

Good ideas are a great start. But they’re not the finish line.

Keep going. Stay curious.

Because in the end, the difference between good and great often comes from one small pause—and one powerful question:

What else?

Lesson Insights: Why “Good” Can Be the Problem

Most teams don’t stall because of bad ideas—they stall because they settle too soon.

Here’s what happens:

• A “good enough” idea feels safe, so the team stops exploring.
• Once the group commits, better ideas often get ignored.
• Creative energy shifts too fast into execution mode.

To fix this, treat your first idea as a doorway—not a destination. Stay open. Ask “What else?”

Best Practices: Build a Smarter Brainstorming Habit

Want better ideas more often? Try these habits:

• Don’t act too fast. Let ideas breathe.
• Use idea goals. Ask for at least five before judging any.
• Add silence. After each idea, pause for 30 seconds before anyone responds.
• Shift views. Ask, “How would a client or competitor think about this?”
• Make a “parking lot.” Put side ideas in a visible place for later.
• Welcome odd ideas—they often lead to the most creative solutions.

Checklist: Smarter Brainstorming in 5 Steps

✔ Did we hold off on choosing too soon?
✔ Did we capture every idea, even the strange ones?
✔ Did we ask “What else?” at least three times?
✔ Did we mix ideas to make something stronger?
✔ Are we picking a direction with confidence—not just speed?

Use this checklist every time. You’ll get more ideas and better results.

FAQ: Brainstorming Smarter

Q: Won’t more ideas slow us down?
A: It might take longer up front. But it saves time later by avoiding bad picks or rework.

Q: What if the team gets stuck after the first idea?
A: That’s normal. Just say, “Great start. What else could work?” Keep it light and open.

Q: How do I help quiet teammates speak up?
A: Try round-robin sharing or idea boards. Give everyone a chance to write before they talk.

Q: Can this work for solo brainstorming?
A: Absolutely. Write your first idea. Then step away. Come back with fresh eyes. Ask, “What’s a totally different way to solve this?”