FIND

On my team, we use a 4-step debrief protocol in order to process the events of the day, learn about each other, build emotional intelligence, increase our capacity for teamwork, draw out key insights, and to honor our work together. Here is how I introduce it to other groups with whom we work. It’s very important to understand that this has a physical structure that makes it much more effective: we use the debrief while standing in a circle. (Italics means stage direction. Non-italicized bold font indicates the actual words I say every time.

We are going to use a 4-step debrief protocol as a way to close our time together. We call this the F.I.N.D. Debrief, and each letter stands for a step.

F stands for Facts. We are going to whip around the circle and everyone will share one fact from our time together. A fact is something you could have taken a picture of or filmed, or audio-recorded. It is objective reality. It’s not something that can be argued. If you offer something that is an opinion, I will ask you, “What evidence leads you to that conclusion? What did you see or hear?” Everyone shares. Go in order around the circle. Start with yourself as a model. “The carpet is blue.” Make an analytical comment about your fact, observing how “low the bar is” to contribute a fact. Point to the right or left, Let’s go this direction.

I stands for Internal Connections. Internal connections are emotions or memories you experienced during our time together. We wouldn’t know you experienced these unless you told us because it happened inside you. Emotions are indicated by such feeling words as “I felt … happy/sad/bored/angry/anxious/excited.” Everyone shares. Start with yourself as a model. “I felt nervous when…” Choose a vulnerable emotion, and consider something that allows people to see that you are not looking for 100% positive emotions. You want people to feel they can be honest.

N stands for New Ideas. This level represents synthesis, where you draw out the meaning of our time together. What did you learn? What is the significance of the time we spent together? What is something you knew before but have realized again or seen in a slightly different light. Everyone shares. I usually defer and share last because people often, perhaps subconsciously, are influenced by what the leader or facilitator shares as an insight. If your group is more than a half-dozen, consider partnering people up to talk through this, then have volunteers report out.

D stands for Decisions. Finish the sentence, “Because of our time together, I will…” and indicate what action you are willing to commit to, related to our time together. Depending on time, this might be a silent reflective thirty or sixty seconds, followed by an optional sharing time. Or, you may find that it’s very helpful for the group to hear people’s decisions and stick to the whip-around part of the protocol.

That’s it. Use it frequently and in good health.