Ethical Brainstorming (And Why Boundaries Are Your Friend)
Grace, Space, and Getting Creative Without Causing Harm
“Think outside the box,” they said.
But they didn’t say whose box.
They didn’t say who built it, or who’s still stuck inside it, or whether the box was ever safe to begin with.
I’ve been in too many rooms where “out-of-the-box thinking” meant throwing spaghetti at the wall, no matter who got splattered in the process.
That’s not innovation.
That’s ego in a Chef Boyardee costume.
So let’s talk about ethical brainstorming—the kind that invites possibility and protects people.
Because yes, creativity needs freedom. But it also needs structure.
Yes, we want wild ideas. But we also want psychological safety.
Yes, we want to stretch. But not at the expense of our values, our people, or our own nervous systems.
Mike Simons, a brilliant educator and facilitator, says it like this:
“We need to offer grace and space.”
Grace for the messy middle.
Space to stretch without snapping.
And boundaries that make it safe to take real, meaningful risks.
Here’s what ethical brainstorming can look like:
Grace:
Assume good intent—but also honor real impact.
Let people warm up before expecting genius.
Celebrate awkward, not-perfect-first ideas.
Space (with structure):
Set time limits. End the session before people start spiraling.
Name what’s off the table—because “anything goes” often backfires.
Make sure power dynamics don’t dominate. (Yes, your boss’s idea should go in the parking lot too.)
Safety = fuel for freedom.
An environment where no one has to code-switch to be heard is infinitely more creative.
If someone says “ouch,” pause. Reflect. Adjust.
Make “What if…?” feel like an invitation, not a dare.
Try This: The Ethical Brainstorm Check-In
Next time you gather folks to ideate, start with this preamble:
“This is a space for ideas—but not at the expense of people.
We’re here to imagine bravely, speak kindly, and stay rooted in our values.
There’s room for boldness and boundaries. So let’s give each other grace and space—because that’s how real creativity happens.”
Then invite your team to co-create the ground rules. (They’ll surprise you.)
You don’t have to choose between innovation and care.
Between boldness and boundaries.
Between making art and making people feel safe.
Leadership that honors both? That’s where the magic happens.
Want more practices like this?
I’m writing us a book—and it’s full of brave, human-centered ways to lead, brainstorm, listen, and build something better. Subscribe to my newsletter and let’s stay in touch!
