Roleplay Scenario
Scenario Overview
Your team is experiencing low morale, and people are hesitant to share feedback. You want to create a more open atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable speaking up and contributing ideas. This roleplay helps you practice facilitating a dialogue that encourages openness and collaboration.
Roles & Setup
Role A – Team Lead (You)
You want to help the team feel comfortable sharing feedback and ideas.
Your goal: Start a conversation that encourages everyone to speak up and share thoughts.
Role B – Team Member 1
You’ve felt a bit disconnected and hesitant to share your thoughts.
Your goal: Open up about your feelings and suggest ways to improve the team dynamic.
Role C – Team Member 2
You usually keep quiet in meetings and avoid conflict.
Your goal: Share your perspective on how the team can communicate better.
Role D – Team Member 3 (Optional)
You’re a bit skeptical about whether feedback sessions lead to real change.
Your goal: Express your concerns and propose ways to make the sessions more effective.
Suggested Openers
Team Lead:
- “Hey everyone, I’d like us to have an open chat about how we’re doing as a team. I want to make sure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts.”
- “I’ve noticed we might not be as open as we could be. Let’s talk about how we can improve that.”
Team Member 1:
- “Thanks for creating this space. I’ve been feeling a bit out of the loop, and I think it might help if we talk about it.”
- “I’ve had some feedback but was unsure how to bring it up. I appreciate this chance.”
Team Member 2:
- “I don’t usually speak up, but I’ve been thinking about how we can communicate better.”
- “It’s sometimes hard for me to share, but I want to try in this setting.”
Team Member 3:
- “We’ve had these talks before, but I haven’t seen much change. I’m hoping this time we can make it stick.”
- “I’m a bit skeptical, but I’d like to see how we can improve our communication.”
Sample Roleplay in Action
Team Lead:
“Thanks for joining the conversation. I’d like us to be open about how we’re working together. It’s important to me that everyone feels heard.”
Team Member 1:
“I really appreciate this. I’ve felt like my input isn’t always taken seriously, and it’s made me hold back.”
Team Member 2:
“I often stay quiet because I’m unsure how my feedback will be received. But I think we could definitely improve our communication and planning.”
Team Member 3:
“We’ve tried feedback sessions before but without much change. Maybe if we set clear action points, it’ll help?”
Team Lead:
“Thanks for sharing, everyone. Let’s focus on a couple of things we can actually do differently. How about regular check-ins where feedback is encouraged?”
Team Member 1:
“That sounds good. It’d be great to have a space where we can talk regularly.”
Team Member 3:
“I agree. Maybe we can track what we discuss, so we can see if we’re making progress.”
Team Lead:
“Great ideas. Let’s aim for bi-weekly check-ins and keep a shared document to track our actions. I’ll make sure we follow through.”
Team Member 2:
“Sounds good. I feel better knowing we’re taking steps to actually address our feedback.”
Post-Scenario Tools
Curveball Mode (Optional)
Throw in one of these mid-roleplay to challenge participants:
- A team member strongly disagrees with the feedback process.
- Someone brings up a sensitive issue that wasn’t anticipated.
- The conversation starts drifting off-topic.
Reflection Checklist
As the Team Lead:
- Did you create a comfortable environment for sharing?
- Did you acknowledge everyone’s input?
- Did you guide the conversation toward practical actions?
As a Team Member:
- Did you express your thoughts clearly?
- Did you listen to others and contribute constructively?
- Did you feel your voice was heard?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting the session become a venting forum without focus.
- Ignoring concerns without addressing them.
- Failing to follow up with concrete actions post-discussion.
Pro Tip
Building trust takes time and consistent effort. Regular feedback sessions with actionable follow-ups will show your commitment to improvement and help create a more open, collaborative culture.