Jazz and the Meeting Style That Generates Breakthrough Solutions

2. Introduce the topic and reflect on it

3. Take a new perspective

Research has shown that perspective-taking may be key to unlocking the creative potential of diverse teams. An initial round of perspective-taking is a powerful tool to launch the conversation. Each team member shares what they think is important for about three minutes, while the others actively try to understand the topic from the speaker’s perspective by using their imagination and asking curious questions. A challenge from different perspectives allows team members to gain a more rich and nuanced understanding of it.

The jazz process leverages insights from neuroscience, specifically activating team members’ “default mode network,” an interconnected system in our brains that is active when we’re not focused on the outside world and contributes to spontaneous, creative thought and introspection. Simultaneously, it also stimulates “task execution networks,” which are engaged when we focus on goal-directed actions to “get the job done.” This dual activation enables smooth transitions from thinking outside the box to implementing solutions.

Action steps

In larger groups, take a short break for individual reflection after three or four pair dialogues. During the break, team members pause for three to four minutes to think and take notes, following prompts such as, “What seems important now?” and “What should we explore further?” For teams with an uneven number of individuals, some may end up getting a bit more time. But otherwise try to distribute the time to contribute as evenly as possible.

At this point, the team has usually discovered and explored several new aspects of the topic and should turn to free-flowing discussion about how to move forward. The facilitator’s goal is to keep the team in a learning and explorative mindset while making sure that the next steps are clearly defined. Sometimes a solution has become apparent. However, with most complex challenges, there will still be uncertainties. So team members are encouraged to define at least three next steps and actions that will help them learn more about the challenge and how to proceed. Such steps might include a prototype, something they want to test, or an interview to gain perspectives or knowledge. Sometimes the best breakthrough ideas come from leaving a few of the questions unanswered for a few days and letting your subconscious play with a variety of solutions.

How one leader uses it

Through this approach, all team members get a chance to contribute equally, listening attentively to each other and building on what is emerging, just as improvisational jazz musicians begin with a unison statement of a theme and then different members provide improvised solos of a fixed length. The approach also provides ample space for creativity and exploration. But the ensuing creative collaboration happens within a predefined meeting structure, which keeps the discussion on track.

The jazz approach to decision-making has been used at Swedish bank SEB to help teams collaborate effectively and make progress on important strategic opportunities and challenges. As described in the Harvard Business School case “Leading Culture Change at SEB,” selected management teams go through a training program where they develop perspective-taking skills and put the skills to use during multiple jazz sessions. Members of the first team that participated in the training program said it helped them get past a crucial strategic challenge they had been struggling with for years. Another SEB team noted that the training and jazz sessions helped to increase customer acquisitions and market share.

Published Aug. 7, 2023, by Knowledge at Wharton.