Blue Sky Thinking: How The Office Became a Comedy Legend

Ever watched The Office? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on one of the most beloved TV shows of all time known for its sharp comedy, brilliant writing, and unforgettable characters.

But have you ever wondered how it became such a success?

One reason: the Blue Sky Concept.

Before each new season, the producers give the writers a pack of sticky notes, but here’s the catch: they’re told to write down every idea that pops into their head, no matter how wild it sounds.

A joke idea while walking the dog? Write it down.
A character plot twist while watching a football game? Jot it down.
A ridiculous storyline like “the entire office moves to Mars”? That goes on a sticky note, too.

When the big writer’s meeting finally arrives, the writers swap their stacks of ideas with someone else. Then they swap again. And again.

Now, no one knows who wrote which idea. One by one, every single sticky note gets posted on the wall filling the entire room with creativity. The team then goes through every single idea without bias, without judgment.

Only after every idea is considered do they filter them down into the strongest concepts. And that’s how The Office kept delivering hilarious, fresh, and unexpected storylines.

The Takeaway?

Don’t play the Devil’s Advocate too soon. Shutting down ideas too early discourages creativity. This exercise eliminates bias, keeps minds open, and allows innovation to flow freely.

Next time you’re brainstorming, whether it’s for a business, a project, or even just a fun idea, try this "no bad ideas" approach and see what happens!

Think Tank: The Magician’s Brainstorming Secret

Want to supercharge creativity? Here’s a brainstorming technique used by magicians to create brand-new illusions and it works just as well for businesses, marketers, and problem solvers.

The Magic Think Tank Exercise

Step 1: Gather ten people and have everyone sit around a table.
Step 2: Each person writes down a final effect (but not the method) of a magic trick on a piece of paper. Example: “Make a dollar bill turn into a twenty” or “Saw someone in half.”
Step 3: Pass your paper to the left. The person next to you must come up with a way to achieve that trick in one minute.

Sounds simple, right? Here’s where it gets interesting…

After a minute, everyone passes their paper again, but now, the next person has to come up with a new method that hasn’t already been written down. This continues for ten minutes.

By the end, you’ve collectively generated 100 unique ways to pull off an illusion. Some ideas might be impractical. Some might be genius. But the key is, new solutions emerge when we’re forced to think beyond the obvious.

How to Apply This to Business & Marketing

This same exercise can be adapted for entrepreneurs, marketers, and creative teams:

The Problem-Solving Edition

Each person writes down a business challenge they’re facing whether it’s a marketing hurdle, a workflow bottleneck, or a creative roadblock. The team then rotates ideas, generating solutions in rapid-fire rounds.

The Campaign Brainstorm Edition

Marketers can list client goals or branding challenges, then pass them around while others add fresh campaign ideas ensuring the final plan isn’t just creative but diverse and multi-perspective.

The Internal Team Innovation Edition

Employees write down internal problems or inefficiencies they’ve noticed. The team then cycles through potential process improvements—helping uncover hidden pain points and unexpected solutions.

The Key Takeaway?

Creativity thrives under structure. This method forces fresh thinking, removes bias, and generates ideas at lightning speed.