One Word Check-In
Everyone shares one word describing their current state - the fastest possible team mood check.
3-10 min
2-50 people
low
None needed
About This Game
One Word Check-In is the quickest team temperature gauge. Each person shares a single word capturing their mood, energy, or feelings. Despite brevity, it creates connection and team awareness.
Objectives
- Quick team temperature check
- Create psychological safety for sharing
- Practice concise communication
- Build empathy and awareness
How to Run This Game
Facilitator Script:
"Quick check-in! In ONE word, how are you feeling right now? I'll start: Energized."
Actions:
- Give clear prompt
- Model with your own word
- Emphasize: exactly one word
Tips:
- • Common prompts: mood, energy, hopes for meeting
- • Virtual: use chat for simultaneous sharing
Facilitator Script:
"Let's go around. Just your word - no explanation needed unless you want to add one sentence."
Actions:
- Go systematically around room/screen
- Keep brisk pace
- Acknowledge each word
Tips:
- • Don't analyze or probe
- • 5 seconds per person max
- • Optional 10-second explanation allowed
Facilitator Script:
"I heard: excited, tired, curious, focused. Good to know where we're at. Let's begin!"
Actions:
- Name 3-4 words heard
- Note overall mood
- Adjust meeting energy if needed
Tips:
- • If many "tired" → acknowledge and perhaps take break
- • If many "excited" → match that energy
Facilitator Tips
- Perfect meeting opener - under 5 minutes total
- Vary the prompt for daily standups
- Builds trust over time as people see their feelings validated
Common Challenges & Solutions
Variations & Adaptations
Describe mood as weather: sunny, cloudy, stormy, partly cloudy
Rate energy level on 1-10 scale instead of word
teams have used this game