The Mad Sad Glad retrospective focuses on the emotional and human aspects of team work. This format helps teams acknowledge feelings, which are often overlooked in technical retrospectives but are crucial for team health and collaboration.
This template is excellent for teams dealing with stress, conflict, or emotional challenges. It creates a safe space for team members to express frustrations and celebrate joys, leading to better understanding and empathy.
Emotional Intelligence in Retrospectives
The three columns capture different emotional experiences:
- Mad: Frustrations, anger, or things that made team members upset
- Sad: Disappointments, losses, or things that made team members feel down
- Glad: Joys, wins, or things that made team members happy
By explicitly naming emotions, teams can address underlying issues that might not surface in more analytical formats. This leads to more authentic conversations and stronger team bonds.
How to facilitate
Creating a Safe Space
- Set ground rules: Emphasize respect and non-judgment
- Allow anonymity: Consider anonymous cards for sensitive topics
- Validate emotions: Acknowledge that all feelings are valid
- Focus on solutions: After expressing emotions, shift to actionable improvements
- Time limits: Set clear time boundaries to prevent venting sessions
Facilitation Guidelines
- Start with Glad to set a positive tone
- Allow time for Mad and Sad—don't rush through difficult emotions
- Help team identify patterns in emotional responses
- Convert emotional insights into concrete action items
- End on a positive note, focusing on what can be improved
When to use this template
When to Use Mad Sad Glad
- Team conflicts: When there's tension or disagreement
- Stressful periods: After difficult sprints or high-pressure projects
- Team building: Building empathy and understanding
- Remote teams: Helping distributed teams connect emotionally
Benefits
This format helps teams:
- Acknowledge and process difficult emotions
- Build empathy and understanding
- Identify sources of frustration before they escalate
- Celebrate wins and positive experiences
- Create a more human, authentic team culture
