Start with “Why?”

1. Determine when you want to invite a team purpose conversation.
2. A week or two in advance, send team members the Start with “Why?” questions (handout attached).
   • You can send questions in the attached handout or create a shared form for individual completion and collection of responses.
3. Give a clear deadline for completion.
   • If you collect responses in advance, you could share with the team and ask them to review prior to the scheduled conversation.

Open conversation with thanks to team members for completing their “Why?” questions.

1. Open the conversation.
   • Thank team for completing their “Why?”
   • Share the goal of today’s conversation:
     Review and reflect on individual and team purpose, with a future goal of consolidating ideas into one clear, concise, shared purpose statement.
2. Start the conversation.
   • Begin with introductions by inviting members to share their names and responses to the first and last questions:
     “What gets you out of bed every morning?” and
     “In three words, what is the essence of our team’s purpose?”
   • If collected in advance: Display responses (e.g., one word per sheet around the room).
   • If not collected: Ask members to share their three words. Capture them on a flipchart or in a shared document.
3. Explore themes and patterns.
   • Once everyone has shared, ask:
     • What similarities and patterns did you notice?
     • What differences or unique perspectives stand out?
     • How might individual motivations and perspectives support our team?
4. Deepen the discussion and reflection.
   • Explain the next step:
     • We’ll learn more about each other’s perspectives on our team’s unique purpose through an interview exercise.
   • Form pairs or trios; ask individuals to bring responses to questions 2–7.
   • Provide flipcharts or pre-set shared documents for notes.
   • For the interview process, provide the following instructions:
     • Take turns interviewing each other using questions 2–7.
     • Interviewers capture themes and patterns.
     • Each interview lasts 5 minutes; then switch roles.
5. Share and reflect.
   • After interviews are complete, take a 10-minute break with a gallery walk to review all flipcharts/Docs.
   • Reconvene for a large group debrief.
     • What key motivators emerged?
     • What unique contributions do we bring to the university?
     • What opportunities do we see for our team?
6. Close the conversation.
   • In a full group or in small groups share and discuss responses to question 8.
     “Imagine one year from now. We are gathering and the energy is high. We are celebrating our accomplishments. What are we celebrating?”
   • Ask team members to hold on to their responses. Consider revisiting one or more questions in six months to a year.
     • What if anything has changed in their responses?
     • What do we as a team know now that we didn’t back then?