“Two truths and one lie”: How a simple game can increase your team growth
I’ve been thinking and reading about the retrospective “Two truths and one lie” and how interesting it can be in the context of a team independently of its maturity level. Here’s a quick guide you can follow with your teams and my 5 cents on what to expect at each stage of the team’s development.
The theory
From what I could find online this game was created by James Gifford and the rules are the following:
Rules
Each person will make a statement about the last sprint. Two should be truths and one should be a lie.
Setting up the game (approx 10 min)
- Explain the rules to every player
- Provide post its and sharpies to each player
- Timebox 7 minutes so every player can write their statements
Playing the game (approx 3 min per player)
- Ask one of the players to stand up and read their statements out loud
- The group discusses and decide which statements they believe to be true and which they think are false (the decision should be by majority)
- After the decision has been reached the player who wrote the statements will indicate which one of the statements is a lie
- Move on to the next player
Wrap up discussion (approx 20 min)
- Collect and categorize all the truths and lies with a negative connotation
- Discuss these items and identify what could have been done better to mitigate these items
- Create a list of actionable solutions and allow the team to vote on what actions to tackle first
- Add the remaining actions into a backlog to be addressed in the future
The practice
Applying this to Bruce Tuckman’s “Five Stages of Team Development” I believe we would get the following advantages and results
Forming Stage
Teams during the forming stage are still getting to know each other. Its the first time they’re interacting, sharing stories and showcasing skills. The team is still not productive at all but that matters here is for them to grow as a group of people.
The advantage of playing at this stage is for team members to get to know a bit more about everyone and you can focus the theme of the statements in personal facts or trivia. This way the mood will be kept light and a stronger bond will be created.
Storming Stage
This is one of the most challenging stages for leaders. Conflicts are common, personalities clash and problems seem to be everywhere with every little thing. Don’t worry, we all have to go through it!
The game at this stage is critical since it will probably create even more conflicts and discussions. Ensure that you create a safe environment for everyone to talk and discuss because the game will inevitably force members to talk, discuss and argue with each other.
Be sure to remind team members that this stage is normal, that they’re getting accustomed to each other, to the way each one thinks and acts, to the way day to day activities are done, etc.
Norming Stage
Eventually, the stormy seas calm down and the team starts to ease and get accustomed to one another. Yes, a few and sporadic arguments are still likely to occur but everything will be easier to tackle at this stage. You’ll see the maturity of the team growing at this stage.
The game will be key since it will allow the team to focus on key elements of what makes the teamwork and how value is delivered inevitably increasing throughput but more especially team satisfaction with day to day processes.
Performing Stage
This is the Nirvana stage of the team (No! Not those Nirvana…). Team members know each other really well and the solutions they’re creating even better. The maturity of the team at this point should be off the charts.
During this stage, the game will provide the team with concise action items to fine-tune performance and reach even higher goals. Expect team members to have a thick skin and to focus on delivery, velocity, process and above all well being of everyone involved.
Adjourning Stage
This stage applies in teams that are created for specific projects or external hires (consultants, part-timers or freelancers) that disband from the team as the present project ends.
The game would be extremely helpful as a retrospective of the project as a whole since every member will be looking at the past from a bird’s eye view and with a lot more ease at being critical of certain phases. It’s especially important to review the project as a whole since a lot will be said during this stage that might have been skipped during earlier ones due to fear of creating bad relations or diminishing the team’s performance.
Two truths and one lie seem to me to be a fantastic game to try with your team since its helpful at all levels of maturity. If you give it a shot do give me a shout with comments or on Twitter!
See ya next time!
