The Mood Lane

The Mood Lane is a serious game that invites participants to explore and share the emotions experienced during a given period. It highlights significant events and their emotional impact, thereby fostering communication and empathy within the team. By retracing these moments together, participants develop a better understanding of each other's feelings.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Introduction

   10 min

   The facilitator begins by explaining the objective of the game: to explore the team's emotions through significant events from a given period. They emphasise that the exercise is based on respect and listening. Participants are encouraged to be honest and open in their sharing.

   Tip — Create a trusting environment by sharing a personal experience yourself to break the ice.

2. 2

   Defining the Period

   5 min

   The facilitator asks the group to choose a specific time period to explore, such as a quarter or a year. It is important that this period holds significance for the team. Once the period is defined, the facilitator notes it on a board.

   Tip — Ensure that all participants understand and agree with the chosen period.

3. 3

   Sharing Significant Events

   15 min

   Each participant individually reflects on the significant events of the chosen period and notes them on post-its. Then, each person shares their events with the group, briefly explaining why they are significant.

   Tip — Encourage participants to think of both positive and negative events for a balanced overview.

4. 4

   Expressing Emotions

   20 min

   Participants associate an emotion with each shared event and note it on the corresponding post-it. They then stick their post-its on a timeline drawn on a board. The facilitator encourages the group to discuss common or divergent emotions.

   Tip — Use colour codes for emotions to quickly visualise emotional trends.

5. 5

   Group Discussion

   20 min

   The facilitator leads a discussion around the identified emotions. They ask questions to deepen the understanding of feelings and their impacts on teamwork. Participants are encouraged to express how these emotions have influenced their collaboration.

   Tip — Be attentive to signs of discomfort and adjust the discussion to maintain a supportive environment.

6. 6

   Closure and Learnings

   10 min

   To conclude, the facilitator asks participants to share a key learning or an action they wish to implement following the workshop. They thank the group for their participation and openness.

   Tip — Note the learnings on a board to keep them visible and inspiring for the team.

Variants

• Use images or drawings to illustrate the emotions associated with the events.
• Conduct the exercise in pairs before sharing with the larger group to build trust.
• Add a brainstorming step to find solutions to the identified negative emotions.
• Adapt the game for a specific project retrospective instead of a time period.