Feedback Game
Why this Feedback Game
Our Feedback Game can help your team navigate through the different stages of team\group development and reach a higher level of Agile maturity. In each of the stages we recommend to play the game a little different.
Here’s how we recommend to play the game at the different stages.
Forming
(maturity level 1)
The initial forming stage is the process of putting the structure of the team together. Team members feel ambiguous and conflict is avoided at all costs due to the need to be accepted into the group. Team members look to a group leader for direction and guidance.
In the Forming stage of a team we recommend to use the ‘Discover’ technique (described below) using only the Quality cards. This is a safe starting point that can help teams to learn more about each other.
Storming
(maturity level 2-3)
This stage begins to occur as the process of organizing tasks and processes surface interpersonal conflicts. Leadership, power, and structural issues dominate this stage.
In the Storming stage we recommend to use the ‘Introspect & Retrospect’ technique (described below) using only the Quality cards. In this way team members learn to reflect and learn more about each others qualities.
Norming
(maturity level 3-4)
In this stage, team members are creating new ways of doing and being together. As the group develops cohesion, leadership changes from ‘one’ teammate in charge to shared leadership. Team members learn they have to trust one another for shared leadership to be effective.
In the Norming stage we recommend to use the ‘Introspect & Retrospect’ technique (described below) using both Quality & Distortion cards. In this way team members can help each other understand where their pitfalls, challenges and allergies are coming from.
Performing
(maturity level 5)
True interdependence is the norm of this stage of group development. The team is flexible as individuals adapt to meet the needs of other team members. This is a highly productive stage both personally and professionally.
In the Performing stage team members will probably find ways to experiment with both Qualities and Distortion cards. They typically use them to continuously improve and challenge each other to do so. You might consider to even start with the ‘Introspect & Retrospect’ technique (described below) using only the Distortion cards to discover Qualities. A variation you might also try is to play the cards unhidden, so it can trigger continuous feedback.
Facilitation Technique: Introspect & Retrospect
Discover
This facilitation technique can be played with 2 or more players. Depending on the team size you might need multiple decks to have enough cards in the game.
Introspect & Retrospect
This facilitation technique can be played with 2 or more players. How you play this game step by step:
- Shuffle the cards
- Each participant receives 5 cards, only visible to themselves
- Put the remaining stack of cards on the middle of the table with the back of the cards hidden
- The first player picks a card from the deck, ending up with 6 cards in total.
- This player now has to decide which 5 cards to keep. You typically keep the cards that describe yourself the most accurate. This is the introspection part of the exercise.
- After the player has decided which 5 cards to keep, 1 card has to be given to another team member. Along with giving the card to his team member he\she needs to give an example of the behaviour described on the card. For example: “I am giving you this humble card, because on a number of occasions last year you gave me the credits for the work we actually did together”. This is the retrospection part of the exercise.
- The receiver of the card puts the card, visible for everyone, on the table.
- Now the next players repeat steps 4-6
- The game ends when all cards are played.
Some extra rules:
- Players are only allowed to return a card alongside the original deck when the described quality or distortion cannot be used to describe another team member. To stimulate optimal feedback the facilitator should challenge that cards will be given to team members.
- Players are allowed to steal cards from the ‘not played’ deck and put 1 card back onto the center deck.
Conclusion
At the end of the game each players will have:
- 5 quality\distortion cards they think describes them best
- a number of cards with feedback from team members on how they are perceived
The insights from this feedback technique can be used to help people understand each other better and improve team collaboration.
Some facilitator points of attention:
- Schedule enough time to play this game. It can easily take 1 to 4 hours to play the game depending on the team size (2-6) players
- With over 6 players, you might combine 2 decks, so there are enough cards in the game.
- Make sure the feedback is given based on real examples and people understand it is based on perception. We don’t want people to blame\shame each other.
- Although some people might receive more cards than others, make sure at least everyone does receive feedback.
- When feedback is not clear, make sure that you ask questions until it is. Other participants may also ask clarifying questions in such situations.Â
Facilitation Technique: Discover
Discover
This facilitation technique can be played with 2 or more players. How you play this game step by step:
- Shuffle the cards
- Each participant receives 5 cards, only visible to themselves
- Put the remaining stack of cards on the middle of the table with the back of the cards hidden
- The first player picks a card from the deck, ending up with 6 cards in total.
- This player now has to decide which 5 cards to keep. You typically keep the cards that describe yourself the most accurate. This is the introspection part of the exercise.
- After the player has decided which 5 cards to keep, 1 card will move to the table, visible for everyone. The player asks the other participants who volunteers to get the card and based on what arguments. When more people volunteer the player (with help of the other non-volunteers) decides who will get te card. In this way people are invited to share their most important qualities with others.
- Now the next players repeat steps 4-6
- The game ends when all cards are played.
Conclusion
At the end of the game each players will have:
- 5 quality\distortion cards they selected themselves
- a number of cards that other team members helped them select
The insights from this feedback technique can be used to quickly invite people to share qualities among their team members.
Some facilitator points of attention:
- Schedule enough time to play this game. It can easily take 1 to 4 hours to play the game depending on the team size (2-6) players
- With over 6 players, you might combine 2 decks, so there are enough cards in the game.
- Make sure the feedback is given based on real examples and people understand it is based on perception. We don’t want people to blame\shame each other.
- Although some people might receive more cards than others, make sure at least everyone does receive feedback.
- When feedback is not clear, make sure that you ask questions until it is. Other participants may also ask clarifying questions in such situations.Â
