A Simple Team Activity for Introducing Change
When introducing a new process, framework, or change in a team environment, one of the most powerful yet simple tools at your disposal is a team conversation about what’s easy and what’s hard. This approach encourages open communication, breaks the ice, and helps uncover potential roadblocks before they become significant issues. By understanding what team members perceive as difficult versus manageable, leaders and coaches can more effectively facilitate the transition and provide targeted support.
The Power of the “Easy and Hard” Conversation
Whether you are rolling out a new framework like Scrum or encouraging a shift to Agile ways of working, the success of the transition largely depends on the team’s ability to embrace and adopt the change. However, not everyone experiences change the same way. Some team members may find the new system intuitive and easy to adapt to, while others may struggle with certain elements.
By explicitly asking the team to identify the “easy” and “hard” parts of the change, you accomplish a few key things:
Encourage Open Dialogue: This exercise breaks the ice and opens up a space for candid discussion. It signals to the team that their opinions and challenges are valued, creating a safe environment for sharing.
Pinpoint Struggles Early: Knowing what aspects of the change are perceived as difficult helps you, as a leader or coach, focus your attention and resources on these areas before they escalate into bigger problems.
Highlight Wins and Strengths: By identifying what’s easy, the team can celebrate small wins and focus on their strengths. This can build confidence and provide a sense of progress even in the face of a broader change initiative.
Implementing the Activity
The next time you introduce a new way of working, such as implementing something new, try this activity in a team meeting:
Set the Stage: Introduce the activity by explaining that you would like the team to share their thoughts on what parts of the new framework seem easy to adopt and which parts seem challenging.
Use Specific Prompts: For example, when introducing Scrum, you might ask:
“What aspects of the daily stand-ups seem easy to integrate into our current workflow?”
“Which parts of backlog grooming do you think will be difficult for us?”
“Do you foresee any challenges with the sprint planning meetings?”
Listen Without Judgment: Create a safe space for all feedback, emphasising that no answer is wrong. It’s crucial that team members feel comfortable being honest without fear of criticism.
Focus on the Hard: Once the team has shared their responses, focus your attention on the “hard” aspects. What exactly makes these areas difficult? Is it a lack of understanding, resources, or confidence? By diving deeper, you can identify actionable steps that can transform these difficulties into manageable tasks.
Moving From Hard to Easy
As a coach or team leader, your role is to help the team bridge the gap between the hard and the easy. This could involve:
Providing Additional Training: Sometimes, the challenge is simply a lack of understanding or experience with the new framework. Offering extra workshops or one-on-one coaching can make a world of difference.
Reevaluating Resources: If a team struggles due to a lack of resources — whether that be tools, time, or personnel — consider what can be adjusted to make the transition smoother.
Encouraging Peer Learning: If certain team members find a particular aspect easy, they can help coach those who are struggling. Peer learning is an excellent way to build team cohesion and share knowledge organically.
Conclusion
By asking the team to reflect on what’s hard and what’s easy when introducing change, you uncover deeper insights that can shape your approach as a coach or leader. This activity opens up the conversation, encourages collaboration. In the end, it’s about making the hard easier and celebrating the progress along the way.
For more such engaging tips and activities, grab a copy of my book “The Art Of Facilitation” — By Yamini Hundare. In this book, I have shared meeting strategies, templates, and activities that will help you facilitate team meetings, discussions, or retrospectives.
Comments