Hopes
and Fears
This is a simple yet powerful activity used to surface emotions, expectations, and concerns at the beginning of a project or transition. It helps to create psychological safety, identify potential roadblocks, and align stakeholders toward a shared vision.
Example Scenario: You’re kicking off an initiative that requires collaboration between stakeholders with varying points of view.
Instructions:
Prepare the space:
Divide a whiteboard or a large sheet of paper into two sections, “Hopes” and “Fears.”
Reflection and record:
Provide time for each person to reflect and record their “hopes” (aspirations, positive expectations, what they’re excited about) and “fears” (concerns, anxieties, potential challenges) on separate sticky notes.
Share and discuss:
Take turns sharing individual hopes and fears and placing the sticky notes in the corresponding sections on the board. Look for common themes, address concerns, and acknowledge positive expectations.
Action planning (Optional):
If appropriate, create an action plan to address the identified fears or to leverage the expressed hopes.
Notes:
Encourage participants to be honest and open in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
This activity can be adapted for various contexts, such as project kick-offs, team building, retrospectives, and change management initiatives.