Team Temperature Check: Balancing the Heat and Pressure of Work
A Retrospective Theme for Keeping Your Team in the Flow Zone
It's 10:13 am here in Crete, and the sun is beating down mercilessly. The temperature has soared to a scorching 38°C in the shade, and there's not a cloud in sight, just an occasional breeze offering a hint of relief. My family and I couldn't have picked a better time to take a holiday to Greece, coinciding with record-breaking temperatures in June since records began. 🥵
As I seek refuge under the shade of an olive tree in our family-friendly holiday park, I can't help but notice the apparent absence of technology surrounding me. It's a much-needed respite from the tech-heavy life I lead back in England. Part of me feels a twinge of guilt as I hold my phone to write this article, but I made a commitment at the start of the year to write regularly, mostly on the topic of teams.
Despite the seeming lack of tech, there are still quite a few gadgets (and many crickets) chirping away in the background. There's the essential WiFi, of course, along with the bar and hotel EPOS systems, smart lighting and climate controls for all the apartments, and the pool and sprinkler systems that keep the grounds in top condition. It's worth remembering that teams of developers wrote all the software and firmware that keep these systems running smoothly, and for that, I'm grateful.
Did you know a Crickets chirp increases in speed as temperatures increase, slowing down again as temperatures fall, the volume of this trill also increases as mating season approaches during the summer - so to be blunt there's quite a din right now.
Setting aside my immediate surroundings, I turn this temperature I'm experiencing right now into team retrospective theme. Here's how we can structure a retrospective around temperature.
Team Temperature Check Retro.
🥶 Step 1: What activities are making us freeze?
Ask the team to identify the blockers and obstacles that are causing their work to slow down or come to a standstill. These could be things like:
Lack of clear goals or direction
Insufficient resources or support
Communication breakdowns or silos
Technical debt or outdated tools
Encourage the team to write on sticky notes or virtual cards, and group them into categories.
😅 Step 2: What activities are making us flow?
Now, shift the focus to the positive. Invite the team to share the activities, practices, and moments that make their work feel effortless and enjoyable. These might include:
Collaborative brainstorming sessions
Successful project launches or milestones
Supportive team dynamics and relationships
Opportunities for learning and growth
Again, have the team capture these "flow zones" on sticky notes or cards, and cluster them together.
🥵 Step 3: What activities are making us boil?
It's time to address the sources of stress and frustration. Ask the team to identify the factors that are causing them to feel overworked, overwhelmed, or burnt out. These could be:
Unrealistic deadlines or workload
Scope creep or shifting priorities
Interpersonal conflicts or toxic behaviors
Lack of work-life balance or self-care
Have the team write down these "boiling points" and group them together.
🤒 Step 4: What steps can we take to measure our team's temperature?
Brainstorm with the team to come up with practical ways to monitor their collective well-being and productivity. Some ideas might be:
Regular check-ins
Tracking key metrics like velocity, cycle time, or defect rates
Monitoring engagement and attention
Encouraging feedback
Record these "temperature gauges" and discuss how to implement them going forward.
😎 Step 5: What actions can we take to warm-up or cool-off?
Finally, work with the team to identify ways to un-freeze or cool down, allowing you to get back into flow. Capture these actions and create a plan for putting them into practice.
By following this retrospective structure, you can help your team identify the factors that are affecting their work flow, and develop strategies for maintaining a healthy and productive team temperature. Remember, just like in nature, balance is key – not too cold, not too hot, but just right for optimal performance and happiness.