Pens in a box Feedback Exercise
Pens in a Box
Ever felt you aren’t getting any feedback on the work you do?
Do you know if the work you’ve done is right or wrong?
What happens if the only feedback you give is good feedback? Is it the same?
The pens in a box exercise aims to illustrate what it feels like when you are working blind or not getting any indication of how well you are doing?
Who is this exercise for?
Pens in a box is great for people in management roles e.g. team managers, project managers, scrum masters and other similar positions. The main aim is to convince that in-the-moment feedback is essential on both 1-2-1 or group levels, and best not saved up for review meetings. And also what the implications are when no feedback is given.
The Object
The objective of the exercise is for a thrower to get as many pens in the box as they can. The thrower stands on a spot and throws the pens in the box whilst blindfolded.
Ask for three volunteers to be the throwers.
They leave the room while you brief the rest that no-one may say anything to the blindfolded person. The first blindfolded person then comes back in and stands on the spot and tries to throw the pens in the box.
Now brief the rest that they are only allowed to give positive encouragement. The second blindfolded person comes back in and stands on the spot and tries to throw the pens in the box.
Now brief the rest that they are allowed to answer any of the blindfolded person’s questions fully. The third blindfolded person comes back in and stands on the spot and tries to throw the pens in the box.
What did you observe? Did they get any pens in the box?
How did each of the blindfolded people feel?
How does everyone else feel when they see no feedback is given?
What parallels can you draw with how you give feedback?
The Implications
What are the implications of not giving feedback, here’s an extensive list. Individuals can feel:
no one is caring about the work they are doing nor the quality
de-motivated
isolated
not valued
there is no means of asking for help
left in the lurch
they are being dumped on
vulnerable, is their position at risk?
frustrated
they are flying blind
stressed, particularly if they don’t know how to do the work given
upset and angry, when the manager does the work for them
and more!
Feedback is gift, if you truly value your people then they deserve it.
Helen Westendorp, Treehouse