Check in – Check out

I bought myself a ball recently.

In fact, I bought three, one for each learning room in Perth.

At the start of every session of the Lead the Way leadership programme at Aviva, we check in with one another.

We assess how everyone is feeling, and we determine what we want from the learning opportunities that day.

At the start, no one really knows each other yet.

There’s that quiet shuffle, a few polite smiles, and the unspoken thought of “please don’t pick me first.” 🫢

It can be awkward and even a bit intimidating. Especially when you’re asked to share something real in a room full of near strangers.

On our final day, we check out and consider again our feelings and what we have learned over the duration of the programme.

I noticed some of my fellow facilitators experimenting with different tools and activities on each occasion.

Sitting, standing, line ups, circles, balloons and balls of all different sizes and colours.

Checking in and checking out, is a big thing.

So, we each bring in the big support…!

For me – it is a rubber ball, nice and bouncy… ⚽

No pressure, no spotlight, just a simple rule: if you’ve got the ball, it’s your turn.

If you don’t, you can relax (or plan what you’re going to say while pretending not to).

And somehow, it works.

And the psychology of it is quite simple.

Turns out, giving people a ball gives their nerves somewhere to hide. And when that happens, the words seem to come a bit easier.

The ball gets passed around (or tossed, bounced or rolled), the room softens, people start to smile, and before long, proper, honest stories start to come out.

Funny how something so simple can help people feel a bit braver, a bit more comfortable, a bit more themselves.

Sometimes, all it takes is a ball to get things rolling.

A small reminder that when people feel safe and at ease, learning has a much better chance of sticking.

So, I’m curious… what simple things have you seen make a big difference in helping people open up?