Ever feel like your team is running on fumes? We’ve all been there. As Agile Coaches and Scrum Masters, we know that a motivated team is a productive team. But keeping that motivation engine humming can be a challenge.
Here is a fun activity that I’ve used with countless teams to help them understand and boost their motivation.
The “Energizers and Drainers” Activity
This activity is like a quick pit stop for your team’s motivation. It helps everyone identify what tasks and activities fuel their energy and which ones leave them feeling drained. The real magic happens when the team starts exploring how to leverage those energizers to tackle the drainers and even identify opportunities to eliminate those energy-sucking tasks altogether.
Here’s how it works:
Time: 45 minutes
Materials: A whiteboard (physical or virtual) and sticky notes.
Introduction (5 minutes):
Start by acknowledging that everyone has tasks they love and tasks they, well, don’t love so much. Explain that this activity will help them visualize these tasks and find ways to optimize their energy.
Instructions:
- Divide the whiteboard into four quadrants:
- Energizers at home
- Energizers at work
- Drainers at work
- Drainers at home
- Brainstorming (5 minutes):
- Ask the team to write down their energizers and drainers on sticky notes, one idea per note.
- Sharing (12 minutes):
- Have team members volunteer to share their ideas, one quadrant at a time.
- (Pro tip: I usually leave “Drainers at Work” for last, as this tends to spark the most discussion.)
Debrief (15 minutes):
Now for the juicy part! Guide the team through these questions:
- What are the common themes? Are there any patterns in the types of energizers and drainers people identify?
- Which energizers can help us complete the drainers? Can we strategically schedule energizing tasks before or after draining ones?
- Which drainers can we remove? Are there any tasks that are truly unnecessary or can be delegated/automated?
- Are there pairing opportunities between team members to help each other with drainers? Can someone who finds a task energizing help someone who finds it draining?
Action Planning (8 minutes):
- Capture any action items that emerge from the discussion.
- Assign owners and next steps to ensure follow-through.
Why This Works
This activity is more than just identifying tasks. It’s about:
- Open Communication: Creating a safe space for the team to share their feelings about their work.
- Collaboration: Encouraging the team to support each other in tackling challenging tasks.
- Continuous Improvement: Identifying opportunities to optimize the team’s workflow and boost overall motivation.
Challenge Yourself!
Try this activity with your team and see the difference it can make. Remember, a motivated team is a high-performing team!
What are some of your favorite ways to boost team motivation? Share your tips in the comments below!
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