The principle of deferring judgment is fundamental to successful brainstorming. It means that during the idea generation phase, no idea is too wild, too simple, or too impractical. The goal is quantity and diversity of ideas. By suspending evaluation, you create a psychologically safe space where individuals are more likely to contribute without fear of ridicule or immediate dismissal. This allows for the exploration of novel approaches that might otherwise be stifled by premature judgment.

Encouraging wild ideas is about pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking. Often, the most groundbreaking solutions emerge from concepts that initially seem outlandish. These ideas can challenge existing assumptions and open up new avenues for problem-solving. Even if a wild idea isn't directly implementable, it can inspire other participants to build upon it or adapt it into something feasible and effective.

Building on the ideas of others is the essence of collaborative brainstorming. Instead of presenting isolated thoughts, participants are encouraged to listen attentively and use their colleagues' contributions as a foundation for their own. This 'Yes, and...' approach, common in improvisational theater, fosters a sense of shared ownership and collective intelligence. It transforms individual contributions into a synergistic output, where the combined ideas are greater than the sum of their parts.

The principle of going for quantity is rooted in the statistical likelihood that a larger pool of ideas increases the chances of discovering a high-quality solution. In the initial stages of brainstorming, the focus is not on the merit of each individual idea but on the sheer volume of contributions. This approach ensures that a wide spectrum of possibilities is explored, making it more probable that a truly innovative or effective solution will emerge from the generated list.