Job or Joy
Job or Joy is a relationship-building exercise designed to explore team members' likes and dislikes both in and outside of work. By mapping activities onto a four-quadrant chart, participants gain insights into what brings joy or feels like a chore, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's motivations.
How to run it
- 1
Draw a four-quadrant chart on a large paper or whiteboard. Label the x-axis with 'not-work' on the left and 'work' on the right, and the y-axis with 'play' on top and 'not-play' below.
- 2
Distribute sticky notes and pens to each participant. Instruct them to write down activities they associate with each quadrant: Joy (work activities they enjoy), Hobbies (enjoyable non-work activities), Chores (non-work activities they dislike), and Job (work activities they dislike).
- 3
Allow participants about 5 minutes to place their sticky notes on the chart in the appropriate quadrant.
- 4
Have each participant explain their choices to the group, fostering discussion on how work can be made more enjoyable.
Tips
Encourage honesty and openness to maximize the benefits of this exercise.
Use the insights gathered to identify opportunities for making work more enjoyable and to strengthen team bonds.
Variations
Consider conducting this activity online using digital tools for remote teams. You can use digital sticky notes and a shared document to replicate the physical chart.
Where it fits
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Job or Joy?â–¾
Use Job or Joy when you want to: Understanding team dynamics; Improving workplace satisfaction; Identifying potential areas for team development.
How long does Job or Joy take?â–¾
Job or Joy typically takes 60 minutes.
How many participants does Job or Joy work for?â–¾
Job or Joy works best for groups of 5–8 participants.
What materials do I need for Job or Joy?â–¾
To run Job or Joy you will need: sticky notes, pens, large paper or whiteboard.
How difficult is Job or Joy to facilitate?â–¾
Job or Joy is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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Try it freeMethod descriptions on Workshop Weaver are original content written by our team, based on established facilitation practices. This method was inspired by work from Gamestorming.