Why (x5) do you go to work?

Next to the financial piece of mind, which is absolutely a valid reason, why else do you go to work? Is there something about the work you do that you really enjoy and that gives you satisfaction?

This retro recipe doesn't follow the default template. Instead, it gives you the steps to discover your own intrinsic motivation. Knowing your intrinsic motivation can provide valuable insights into why you do certain things and what drives you to achieve your (work) goals. It can help you find meaning, stay committed, experience greater satisfaction, and make better decisions, all of which can contribute to a more fulfilling and meaningful career and life.

Ingredients

• your team
• courage
• openness

Mise en place (1 minute)

Make sure to have a room with enough chairs for the whole team. However, you can also use breakout rooms in case you do this remotely. We'll be creating 1on1s. If your team is uneven you can create one group of three people or ask the facilitator to join in and make it even.

Cooking (20-30 minutes)

Step 1: What is one thing you did that you are proud of? (3 minutes)

Give everyone 3 minutes to reflect and think of something specific they did in their professional career that they are proud of. Ask them to either write it down or keep it in mind. No need to share it immediately.

Ideally, you want colleagues to reflect on something work-related, but if people are really stuck and can't think of anything, allow them to pick something outside of work.

Step 2: Lead by example (5 minutes)

Ask for a volunteer who wants to demonstrate the exercise with you. Put your chairs in front of each other so that you face each other. Make sure the rest of the group can clearly hear and see you. You will be asking "Why?" five times to discover each other's intrinsic motivation.

Ask: What is the one thing you did that you are proud of? Why did X make you proud? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Example:

Amy: I'm really proud of myself for finishing a 10k race last weekend.

Sue: Why?

Amy: Because it was a personal goal of mine to run a 10k, and I had to train for months to be able to do it.

Sue: Why was running a 10k important to you?

Amy: Because I wanted to challenge myself physically and mentally, and prove to myself that I could achieve something that seemed impossible at first.

Sue: Why did you want to challenge yourself in that way?

Amy: Because I've always struggled with self-doubt, and I wanted to prove to myself that I'm capable of more than I give myself credit for.

Sue: Why is it important for you to prove that to yourself?

Amy: Because I want to be able to pursue new challenges and opportunities without letting fear hold me back.

Here Amy discovered after only four "whys" that her intrinsic motivation is to pursue new challenges and opportunities without letting fear hold her back.

Step 3: Groups of two and go! (10 minutes)

Now that everyone has seen an example. Invite them to do the same in groups of two. Give them 5 minutes and then ask them to switch sides.

Optional Step 4: Share with the whole team (10 minutes)

This step is optional as the most important goal was already achieved in the previous step: discovering or confirming one's own intrinsic motivation. You can therefore ask your team if they want to share their findings with the team or not.

Being aware of others' intrinsic motivation and not just your own could positively impact your day-to-day work interactions. Knowing what motivates someone to take a certain decision could create a shared understanding.

If you sense hesitation, consider going first or ending the retrospective here.

Final impressions

This is a profound retrospective that breaks from the repetition of the default retrospective template. Some people don't discover anything new, but others leave amazed and surprised, not having really known their intrinsic motivation to then suddenly hear themselves say it out loud.

It's a retrospective in the pure sense of the word: retrospecting yourself. Asking yourself "Why" can be very empowering for the rest of your life.