Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
Your team is feeling the pressure from recent project setbacks, and there are differing opinions on how to solve them. As the person leading today's standup, your job is to keep things productive, make sure everyone gets a chance to speak, and help ease any tension.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Standup Facilitator (You)
You're leading the standup meeting.
Your goal: Keep the meeting on track, make sure everyone gets heard, and help ease any tensions.
Role B – Team Member 1
Feeling frustrated with recent setbacks and that their concerns aren’t being addressed.
Your goal: Share your concerns constructively without derailing the meeting.
Role C – Team Member 2
Hopeful about a new solution and eager to talk about progress.
Your goal: Share updates and encourage team collaboration.
Role D – Observer (Optional)
You’re noting team dynamics and will provide feedback after the meeting.
Your goal: Observe interactions and give constructive feedback to the facilitator.
Suggested Openers
Standup Facilitator:
- “Good morning, everyone. Let’s share our updates and any blockers. I want to ensure everyone has a chance to speak today.”
- “I know things have been tense lately. Let’s focus on a constructive conversation today.”
Team Member 1:
- “I’m finding it tough with the recent changes impacting our timeline. I think we need to revisit our priorities.”
- “I have some concerns about our approach and would appreciate discussing some possible adjustments.”
Team Member 2:
- “I’ve made good progress on the new solution, and I think it could help us move forward. Looking forward to sharing it with everyone.”
- “I know it’s been challenging, but I believe this new direction can really help us.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Standup Facilitator:
“Good morning, team. Let's go around and share what we’re working on and any blockers. Who wants to kick us off?”
Team Member 1:
“I’ll start. I’m worried about the recent changes affecting our timeline. I think we need to revisit our priorities.”
Standup Facilitator:
“Thanks for bringing that up. It’s important to address. Let’s hear everyone’s updates first, then we can dive deeper into priorities.”
Team Member 2:
“I’ve been working on the new solution and it’s looking promising. I believe it can help us get back on track. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on it.”
Standup Facilitator:
“Great to hear about the progress. Let’s make sure we allocate time for feedback on this today.”
Team Member 1:
“I’m open to exploring new solutions, but we need to be realistic about what we can achieve with the current timeframe.”
Standup Facilitator:
“Absolutely, balancing optimism with realism is key. Let’s set some time after this to discuss these concerns in detail.”
Observer (Optional):
“I’ll jot down the key points, and we can review them after the meeting to stay aligned.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Introduce one of these challenges mid-roleplay:
- A team member becomes visibly frustrated and interrupts the meeting.
- An unexpected deadline change is announced during the standup.
- A technical issue arises, diverting focus from the meeting.
Reflection Checklist
As the Facilitator:
- Did you maintain a calm and supportive tone?
- Did you ensure all voices were heard without letting the meeting derail?
- Did you address tensions constructively?
As a Team Member:
- Did you communicate your concerns or updates clearly?
- Did you listen actively and respond constructively to others?
- Did you help the facilitator keep the meeting on track?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting the meeting become a debate rather than a quick sync.
- Ignoring underlying tensions instead of addressing them.
- Overloading the meeting with too many details instead of sticking to key updates.
Pro Tip
Leading a productive standup is about balancing structure with empathy. Be flexible, open to feedback, and focus on fostering a collaborative environment.