Change and uncertainty can lead to stress, distrust, and reduced team cohesion. Creating time and space for a team to engage in shared problem-solving helps teams feel less isolated and more empowered to explore possibilities together.
Get started
Preparing for This Activity
- Anticipated Duration: 10–20 minutes
- Preparation Level: Low
- Suitable for: In person and remote meetings
- Materials:
- Prepared flipchart, dry erase board, or virtual whiteboard
- Two columns labeled:
- Outside Our Control
- Within Our Control
- Markers
- Sticky notes
Instructions
Keep it short and begin with a reminder of shared working agreements. Here are simple instructions to guide the exercise and dialogue.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
1. Set the Stage
- We are going to map out areas of uncertainty and identify what we can influence versus what we cannot.
- Tip: Emphasize psychological safety. There are no right or wrong contributions. This is about understanding and grappling with our collective perspectives and needs in this time.
2. Individual Reflection
- Ask team members to think about current changes, challenges, uncertainties they are noticing and/or experiencing.
- Invite them to write down 2–3 things that feel uncertain right now.
3. Group Mapping
- Have team members transfer their 2–3 things to sticky notes, using one idea per note.
- Ask team members to place their notes on the prepared flipchart or board in the appropriate column: Outside Our Control or Within Our Control.
- If virtual, use your prepared virtual whiteboard with columns and invite team members to anonymously annotate using their 2–3 ideas.
- Tip: Enable “Hide Names” if using a virtual whiteboard to ensure anonymity.
4. Review and Debrief
- Share out what is captured on each of the columns. Start with Outside Our Control and then move to Within Our Control.
- Guide a large group discussion starting with the following questions:
- What patterns and themes do you notice?
- Is there anything you would suggest moving from one column to another?
- Which items in the Outside Our Control can we let go of?
- What impact, if any, will there be if we let go?
- What items Within Our Control can we act on now?
- What would it take for us to act on these?
- What patterns and themes do you notice?
Closing Thoughts
Consider how you can make group mapping a team practice anytime the team identifies uncertainty or challenges that are creating barriers to progress and team performance.
Keep in mind the following facilitation tips throughout the group mapping and discussion.
- Keep the tone constructive and focused on possibility. Encourage the avoidance of blame.
- It is possible that emotions may be expressed during discussion. Acknowledge and validate feelings and ask how we can use them to inform actionable items that are within our control.
- Capture the final map and identify action items (e.g., shared document, picture, etc.).
- As the team continues to navigate uncertainty together, revisit the map for guidance and continued exploration.