When Brainstorming Evokes Action

Me: “Mmmm, maybe we should transplant this lavender over to the larger garden…”

Thirty minutes later…

Me: “WHAT did you just do?”

Husband: “I transplanted it like you said.”

Me: “I didn’t say to transplant it. I was just thinking about transplanting."

I walk away.He stands bewildered.

The famous disconnect.

We’ve all done it.

What feels like casual ideation to you can land as instruction to someone else. Especially

when there’s a power imbalance. (Yes, I am the boss!)

A leader shares an off-the-cuff idea.

A CEO muses a new concept.A physician wonders about best practice.

Two weeks later, someone has built an entire strategy around a comment that was never meant to be a directive.

The cost?Time. Energy. Trust.

The fix is surprisingly simple: label the conversation.

Set the frame before the content.

If there is a power imbalance, the responsibility is yours. Clarity is leadership.

Start with intention:

• "Today is a brainstorming conversation — no action yet.”

• “I’m just brainstorming here…”

• “Pencils down, we are just playing with ideas here…”

And end with alignment.

WWW: Who does What by When.

Before anyone leaves, confirm:

• What decisions were actually made?

• What actions (if any) are expected and by when?

• Who owns the next step?

Example:

“Thank you for being here. To be clear, today is pure brainstorming — no action. Next week we’ll decide what moves forward.”

Assumptions disappear when intention is named.

And, the lavender stays planted until the frost thaws.