Check In · Reflect & Reset
Traffic Light + One Word
Name red, yellow, or green for the week, then add exactly one word.
Time2–5 minutes
Group size2+ people
FormatIndividual, Table groups, Whole group
MaterialsNone, Optional projected prompt
What this accomplishes
A fast scale with just enough language to make the signal meaningful: “Yellow, coverage.” “Green, finally.”
- Give the facilitator a quick read of the room
- Let participants enter the agenda without a long round of updates
Before you begin
Materials
- None
- Optional projected prompt
Preparation
- Display the prompt
- Decide whether responses will be silent, written, or spoken
- Plan to answer first and model an honest pass early in the year
What to say
“Red, yellow, or green for your week, plus one word. No sentence and no explanation. You may pass.”
How to run it
- 1
Display red, yellow, and green.
- 2
Answer first using one color and one word.
- 3
Move quickly around the table or collect responses in chat.
- 4
Acknowledge the room once and begin without follow-up questions.
Prompts to use
Red / Yellow / Green
One word—no explanation
Adapt it to the room
Small group
Use one fast round. The facilitator answers first, and everyone may pass without explanation.
Large group
Run it simultaneously at tables or collect a silent room-wide signal; do not hear every response from the microphone.
Virtual
Share the visual and invite a number, color, icon, or private chat response. Cameras and explanations stay optional.
Accessibility & inclusion
- Display and read the prompt aloud.
- Allow speaking, writing, pointing, chat, or passing with equal status.
- Never require eye contact, an explanation, or a public follow-up.
Why it works—and what can go wrong
Why it works
A three-point scale lowers the effort of answering, while one word prevents the signal from becoming empty data.
Watch out for
- Do not ask 'why?' in the room, especially after red.
- Follow up privately after the meeting; the check-in identifies where support may be needed but is not the support itself.
- Do not reward upbeat answers or treat a difficult answer as a public discussion prompt.