Avoid judgment

In workshops, fostering an environment that encourages open expression and avoids judgment of ideas is vital. Instead of using phrases like "Was that a good idea?" which can lead to evaluation and judgment, use alternative approaches such as "How did that feel?" or "What does that suggest?"

Avoid words and phrases that overly analyze or prematurely evaluate ideas. Instead of asking for the "best idea," encourage participants to share "a heap of ideas to get us started." This approach encourages a free flow of creativity and prevents individuals from feeling pressured to come up with the perfect solution immediately. Similarly, rather than asking people to "choose the best option," invite them to "grab an interesting one to kick off with."

By reframing the language used in co-creation workshops, you can help participants feel more comfortable in sharing their ideas, exploring different perspectives, and contributing to the collaborative process without the fear of judgment.