Mad Sad Glad
A simple retrospective format that invites participants to surface emotions from a recent period or project. By categorising experiences as Mad (frustrating), Sad (disappointing), or Glad (positive), teams open honest conversations about how work feels — not just what happened.
How to run it
- 1
Create three columns on a board labelled Mad, Sad, and Glad.
- 2
Give participants 5 minutes to silently write sticky notes for each category.
- 3
Each person briefly shares their notes while placing them on the board.
- 4
Cluster related notes and identify themes.
- 5
Focus discussion on the Mad and Sad columns first — what can we change?
- 6
Close by celebrating the Glad items and agree on 1–2 action items.
Tips
Normalise the emotional framing upfront.
Some teams find 'Mad' too charged — you can soften to 'Frustrated' if needed.
Create psychological safety before starting.
Variations
Add a fourth column 'Confused' for teams dealing with uncertainty. Combine with a dot-vote to prioritise the most significant frustrations.
Where it fits
Related methods
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
When should I use Mad Sad Glad?▾
Use Mad Sad Glad when you want to: Sprint retrospectives; After difficult periods or incidents; Onboarding new team members to team culture.
How long does Mad Sad Glad take?▾
Mad Sad Glad typically takes 30–45 minutes.
How many participants does Mad Sad Glad work for?▾
Mad Sad Glad works best for groups of 3–20 participants.
What materials do I need for Mad Sad Glad?▾
To run Mad Sad Glad you will need: sticky notes, markers, flip chart or whiteboard.
How difficult is Mad Sad Glad to facilitate?▾
Mad Sad Glad is rated beginner — straightforward to facilitate even without prior experience.
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