Debrief Cards

Introduction

Debrief Cards are a multi-use tool designed to help you process experiences with groups.

Printing Debrief Cards Debrief Cards have a front and back (2 pages). I suggest printing them on card stock for durability. Laminate the cards for ultimate durability.

One set of Debrief Cards is designed to be used with discussion groups sized between 4 and 8 people.

There are 8 cards per set of Debrief Cards. Supply a group of 4-8 people with one set of cards. If your group is larger than 8 people, divide this larger group into small discussion groups of 4-8 people and give each small discussion group their own set of cards.

If youre working with a group of 12 people, divide this group into two or three small discussion groups. If youre working with 60 people you would need 10 sets of Debrief Cards so you could create ten small discussion groups with 6 people in each group.

How to use Debrief Cards

Debrief Cards are easy to use. Heres a sample scenario...

Youre working with a group of 15 people. The group has just completed a team building activity. Now you want the group to debrief (process) the activity.

Divide the group of 15 into three small discussion groups (5 people in each small group) to debrief. Provide one set of Debrief Cards to each small discussion group.

Give the following assignment to each of the small discussion groups:

Using the side of the cards with the colored pictures, your discussion group must come to agreement as to the picture that best represents the most important lesson learned in the last teambuilding activity. Pick a

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Debrief Cards

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spokesperson for your group who will be able to explain why you chose the picture you did.

Allow the small discussion groups enough time (5-15 minutes) to discuss and reach consensus. During this time your job is to move amongst the groups to listen in on conversations and be available to the groups to answer any questions or to provide feedback.

Once each of the small discussion groups has reached consensus, ask the small discussion groups to share their findings with the entire group. During this stage, your job as the facilitator is to ask questions that will help everyone gain greater understanding. If a group spokesperson provides an explanation that isnt clear, you must ask probing questions. The spokesperson may find themselves needing help from the members of their small discussion group to explain their position / choices (thats fine).

Understanding the Debrief Cards

Side A


Debrief Cards



Inspirational Quote

Shift

Card Number

Metaphor Picture

Side B

Inspirational Quote Suggested uses:

Select a quote that inspires you and explain your choice to your small discussion group.

As a group, select the one quote that represents the direction your group must move to become a stronger team.

Select the quote that best represents how you feel about the team.

Metaphor Picture There are pictures on the front and back of the cards (color pictures on

one side and black & white on the other). You can require the group to use pictures on just one side of the cards (example: colored photos only) or use any and all of the pictures.

Suggested uses: Select the picture that best represents how you feel your team did

during the last teambuilding activity.


Debrief Cards



Evolutionary Progression

Metaphor Picture

Question

As a group, select the picture that best represents where youve been as a team.

Each team member (in the small discussion group) select the picture that represents what he/she learned in the last activity.

Shift These words appear in blue and have an arrow pointing to the right. The word on the left represents a lower energy thought form; the word on

the right represents a higher (more desirable) energy thought form. The Shift words on a particular card are related and can be thought of as representing a continuum. A shift requires one to recognize and understand subtle yet powerful differences.

Suggested uses: Find the Shift that, if made, will help your team have a breakthrough. Pick the Shift that you will focus on making over the next period of time

(24 hours, week, month, year, etc.).

Card Number The Debrief Cards are numbered so if one is lost you can quickly

determine which one it is. Also, if youve made lots of sets of Debrief Cards and they get mixed up, the numbering system will help you organized complete sets of cards.

Evolutionary Progressions Evolutionary Progressions (purple words with a vertical arrow on the left

pointing up) represent a 3-step growth path. The word at the bottom of the list is considered low on the evolutionary scale. The word at the top of the list is considered at the top of the evolutionary scale. The top word is the preferred destination.

For example, one of the Evolutionary Progressions is: Juggle >> Balance >> Harmony. A person / team grows or evolves along this path. For example, someone who is Juggling the responsibilities in their role as leader hasn't really developed the ability to create Balance yet (personally or professionally). And someone who has achieved a Balanced life really hasn't found Harmony yet. So, currently, Harmony is the 'highest level' of the progression. Someone operating at the level of Harmony is doing well development-wise and evolution-wise.

Suggested uses: Ask the group to find the Evolutionary Progression that most

represents the path of development their team is on. Now, identify


Debrief Cards



which step along the Evolutionary Progression best defines your teams placement. If your team is not at the top, what will it take to get to the top?

Create your own 3-step Evolutionary Progression. Is there an Evolutionary Progression you wish your team would be on?

Why?

Question Identifying a powerful question can be one of the most effective tools a

team can use to create the breakthrough (or insight) theyve been looking for.

Suggested uses: Place the cards on a table with the question facing up. Ask the small

discussion group to find the question that, if answered, will help catapult the team forward.

Identify the question that has been running your team. Now identify the question that should be running your team.

More Ideas

Use the Debrief Cards at the beginning of the training event. Possible examples include:

Ask people to find an image on a card that represents how their week is going (has gone).

In order for you to get the most out of this workshop / training event what Shift will you need to make? (find that Shift on a card) Share with your small discussion group.

Introduce the concept of Evolutionary Progressions and then have everyone find an Evolutionary Progression on a card that represents where they are as a leader (manager, team member, employee, etc.).

Find the quote that has the most significant message for your Personal life. Explain why you chose this quote to your small discussion group.

Key Concepts

1. Debriefing (processing) the activity is a critical step in helping individuals and teams learn from and through experiential teambuilding activities. Allow


Debrief Cards



enough time to properly debrief the activity. Teach participants about the value of debriefing. Think of debriefing as an activity!

2. Youll notice that groups are more likely to talk at greater and more meaningful depth as trust increases. Therefore, to improve the quality and depth of conversations during debrief sessions you must constantly monitor and build the level of trust.

3. Establishing group ground rules will go a long way in helping people feel comfortable sharing at deeper (more valuable) levels. Prior to starting a debriefing session, you can work with the group to create a set of ground rules that will promote trust and growth. Sample ground rules can include:

You can choose to pass. Its OK to listen and not talk. Speak for yourself. Use I statements. One person speaks at a time (no interruptions) Everything is confidential unless someone specifically gives their

permission to share something they said outside the group. No put downs. Be 100% responsible. Respect others.

4. Asking good questions is 10x more powerful than talking.5. Good debriefing can take you into unknown or uncharted territories. If you

encounter a situation youre not comfortable with, tell the group. Be honest and transparent. Trust your feelings.

6. Assist the group in discovering what they have experienced. Resist the temptation to tell them what they have experienced (what theyve learned).

Resources / Further Study

Book: A Teachable Moment -- A Facilitators Guide to Activities for Processing, Debriefing, Reviewing and Reflection by Jim Cain, Michelle Cummings and Jennifer Stanchfield. 282 pages

Book: Processing The Experience -- Strategies to Enhance and Generalize Learning by John Luckner and Reldan Nadler.

Copyright Notice

The Debrief Cards and this set of directions are copyrighted material. You are permitted to print as many of the Debrief Cards as you personally need for the


Debrief Cards



groups you personally work with. . You are not permitted to sell, share, alter or change this print your own (do-it-yourself) Debrief Cards document with others.


Debrief Cards



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Documents

Debrief Cards