Have you ever used a talking stick in your stand-ups?
This is typically a physical object used to facilitate communication and ensure that everyone gets a chance to speak.
This practice is especially common in teams where members may tend to dominate the conversation or where there's a need to ensure that quieter voices are heard.
It can be anything really. I often use something like a large, pink fluffy toy or I will ask each team member to bring in something important to them as a way to make a personal connection.
When someone holds the stick, it indicates that they have the floor and the rest of the team should listen without interruption. It's a simple yet effective way to promote respectful communication and ensure that everyone's contributions are valued.
They get to choose who goes next and avoids the situation where someone might always miss-out because their surname starts with “S”
Passing the talking stick around the team encourages active participation and helps keep the stand-up meeting focused and efficient. It ensures that each team member has the opportunity to share their updates, raise concerns, or ask questions, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone's input is considered.
This photo is from a stand-up I was involved in many years ago with Andrew Nisbett , Grant Dousset, Arshita Cheeti, Victoria Brown, Christabel Sy
I remember asking one of my daughters for a toy to borrow for the talking-stick. She enthusiastically burrowed through her toys and presented me with this doll you can see in the photo.
That evening she asked for the toy back, and I said I needed it for another month or so. It was at that point an earthquake erupted, and the toy was returned next day and I looked for an alternative 😱😱😱
AdaptivOrg + Seisma SEISMA GROUP Robert Cass 🟢 🟡 / 🔵 🔴 Anthony Kandi Robert Hogeland Simone Hambrook Betty Trajkovski Sushrut Kamath Devon White Annie Spiteri Jason Wu
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