Rose Debrief

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Collect balanced feedback on both successes and obstacles from a completed activity or period of work.

Use it when: Use at the close of an activity, workshop session, or project milestone to quickly capture balanced reflections.

Skip it when: Skip when a situation requires root-cause problem solving or when interpersonal conflict requires private mediation.

Group arrangement: Individual reflection followed by groups of 3 or 4; with exactly 5 people, use one circle with shorter turns.

Timing: Playmeo lists 1 to 2 minutes for quick sharing; UWT expands to 10 minutes to allow silent reflection and full small-group turns for up to 24 participants.

Materials and tools

• Timer
• Scratch paper and pen per person (optional)
• Remote or hybrid: a video call with breakout rooms and chat; an individual connected device and headphones or headset for each participant

Before participants arrive

1. Arrange groups of 3 or 4 before starting; with exactly 5 people, use one circle. For totals of 6 or more, use the combination of trios and quartets that seats everyone.
2. For remote delivery, prepare the Rose and Thorn definitions in chat and assign the same groups to breakout rooms, except the five-person circle stays in the main call.
3. For hybrid delivery, everyone joins one call on an individual device with headphones or a headset. Arrange separate speaking positions for people in the room and prepare mixed-location breakout groups across the full roster. Test audio and breakout access before starting; if the arrangement is unavailable, use a fully in-person or fully remote session.

Say this to open

We will take a few minutes to look back on what we just did using two prompts: Rose and Thorn. A Rose is a success, highlight, or something that went well. A Thorn is a challenge, frustration, or obstacle you ran into. You can write your thoughts down quietly first, and then share with your group.

How to run it

1. Introduce prompts and think 2 minutes

   Explain the Rose (highlight or positive outcome) and Thorn (struggle or difficulty). Give participants 90 seconds of quiet time to identify one Rose and one Thorn. Writing is optional.

2. Share in small groups 5 minutes

   With exactly 5 people, stay in one circle and give each person up to 45 seconds to share their Rose and Thorn. Otherwise, form groups of 3 to 4 and give each person up to 1 minute. Group members listen without debating or offering advice. Participants may pass or share only one element.

3. Harvest cross-group patterns 3 minutes

   Invite up to 3 volunteers from across the room to name a common theme or surprising Thorn they noticed. Keep whole-room shares brief to fit the time limit.

Debrief questions

• What common patterns showed up across our Roses and Thorns?
• How did facing our Thorns help or hinder the final outcome?
• What is one adjustment we can make next time based on what we heard?

Finished output: A spoken or written inventory of successes and challenges experienced during the session.

Remote

Post the Rose and Thorn definitions in chat and follow the same 2, 5, and 3-minute stages, including 90 seconds of quiet reflection in step 1. With exactly 5 people, stay in the main call for sharing, with up to 45 seconds per person. Otherwise use breakout groups of 3 or 4, with up to 1 minute per person. Return to the main call for up to 3 brief volunteer themes. Passing or sharing only one element remains optional; participants may type instead of speaking.

Hybrid

UWT adaptation: everyone uses an individual device with headphones or a headset on one shared call, with separate speaking positions for participants in the room. Group across the full roster regardless of location. With exactly 5 people, share in the main call for up to 45 seconds each; otherwise use mixed-location breakout groups of 3 or 4 with up to 1 minute each. Follow the remote procedure and the same 2, 5, and 3-minute stages. Keep the option to pass or type. If the required tools or speaking positions are unavailable, use a fully in-person or fully remote session.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may write their points on scratch paper or simply hold them in mind.
• Participants may pass on sharing either the Rose, the Thorn, or both without explanation.
• Spoken sharing can be replaced by typing into a chat or writing on paper.

If the session gets stuck

Participants only share surface-level positive Roses and avoid naming any Thorns.

Model a genuine Thorn yourself, such as a time management slip or unclear instruction, to normalize naming friction.

One participant turns their Thorn into a lengthy grievance about another person.

Remind the room to focus on personal tasks and systemic friction rather than personal critiques, and offer to speak with the participant after the session.

Terms used here

• Rose: A positive event, success, or enjoyable moment during an experience.
• Thorn: A difficulty, frustration, or obstacle encountered during an experience.