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This article explains the Walt Disney Method that will help you understand the basics of a powerful brainstorming technique.

As you know, Walt Disney was one of the most creative people to live in the twentieth century. Disney was a gifted film producer, director, screenwriter, animator, voice actor, and entrepreneur. His innovative method of working is still being emulated by many companies and is known as the Walt Disney Method.

Although Disney’s creativity was initially intuitive, over time he developed a process for tapping into his special genius. When he was trying to conceive something new, he would assume three roles that he isolated: the roles of the Dreamer, the Realist, and the Critic. the reason his system works so well is this: he took on these roles one at a time. He kept the Realist and the Critic in their places until he fulfilled the Dreamer role. Walt Disney’s strategy was modeled later in 1994 by NLP expert Robert Dilts, who defined the technique as Disney’s method for turning his dreams into reality.

1. The Dreamer: The one for whom all things are possible

The Dreamer comes up with all kinds of ideas, wishes, and fantasies. Anything, whether big or small, wild or charming, inside or outside the box. Nothing is filtered. The Dreamer doesn’t make excuses for why it won’t work. He has only one task: Get the ideas out there into the world and on paper.

2. The Realist: The one who sorts things out

The Realist then turns the Dreamer’s idea into something more practical and achievable. So again, there is no killer in this process — and there never needs to be. In a lot of market research and product development brainstorming sessions turn into slingshot fights because folks are just shooting each other down. That’s not creativity at all. Creativity in Disney’s strategy is kind of loving.

3. The Critic: The one who picks up the pieces that don’t fit

The Critic rigorously evaluates all the ideas and asks the tough questions. The critic does not criticize the plans of the dreamer or the insight of the realist, but looks at a plan like an observer and filters out and removes all crucial mistakes.

Innovation: How to Use the Disney Strategy with Groups

To apply the Walt Disney Method, three places must be reserved within the same room in which the role of ‘dreamer’, ‘realist’, and ‘critic’ can be assumed in turn. In large brainstorming sessions, three separate rooms can be used in which the ‘dreamers’, ‘realists’, and ‘critics’ can discuss the ideas separately and consecutively. Subsequently, the work will continue in three phases.

Phase 1

The objectives are looked at from the perspective of the dreamer. The creative and visual thoughts that come up should not be hindered by reality and possible risks. The Walt Disney Method is all about brainstorming power and the quantity of all the ideas that have been submitted.

Phase 2

In this phase the possible ways to achieve the objective are looked at from the perspective of the realist. This concerns the ability of making a dream a reality. Limitations and possible risks should therefore not be seen as obstacles but as challenges.

Phase 3

The critic’s perspective will be used to represent how the end user will experience the plan or idea. Possible risks and gaps will be critically examined and changes and areas of improvement will be submitted.

Creativity can be applied to any situation, right? So, you could try this approach when you’re imagining… a party you want to have… a new approach with your boss… a specific conversation with your kids… whatever! There are countless situations where you can use this three-chair process on your own.

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