Start, Stop, and Continue

An all-purpose exercise designed to move teams from ideas to action in a simple and organized way.

TOTAL RECOMMENDED TIME: 30-45 mins

DESCRIPTION: This exercise is a simple way to add direction and accountability at the end of a training or brainstorming session. By naming what the team will focus on - through the lens of what they will start, what they will stop, and what they will continue - you will walk away with targeted actions. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

• Understand that clear and descriptive communication is critical when trying to accomplish specific tasks

• Illustrate how messages can be perceived in different ways by different people

• Inspire thoughtful reflection on the necessity of two-way communication in order to ensure effective message delivery

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS: 

• Flip charts or whiteboards

You can also do this live with slides or printed handouts - linked here

PREPARATION: 

• You will need to have a goal in mind for the group to workshop. 

  • Fill in the blank: “What are you/we going to Start, Stop & Continue doing to foster the structures, habits, and behaviors to [insert outcome goal]?” 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

FACILITATOR NOTES: 

• When complete, get alignment from your team on the items that are most important to move forward. 

• We often overestimate the importance of starting and underestimate the importance of stopping. Aim to stop as many initiatives as you start - we only have a finite amount of time and energy. 

  • As humans, we have a harder emotional time stopping things than starting them. Notice where your team may be getting caught up.