Unclear Is Unkind Activity

Practicing "Clear Is Kind" Communication
(Inspired & Grounded in Brene Brown's 'Dare to Lead')
Objective: Participants will practice delivering clear, kind, and direct communication around real workplace challenges. The goal is to build the muscle of clarity and honesty while learning how to give and receive affirming and adjusting feedback.
Facilitator Role: This is a participant-led session. The facilitator is responsible for:
  • Setting expectations and tone
  • Keeping time
  • Offering framing and language scaffolds as needed
  • Guiding the final debrief
Session Setup:
  1. Opening Frame (Facilitator):
    • This session is not about calling out or airing workplace issues in public.
    • It is about practicing clear communication so that when the moment arises in real life, you're already equipped.
    • You will be doing most of the work. The facilitator is here to keep time and help set the stage.

  2. Participant Task – Identifying Scenarios:
    • Each participant will write down 3 workplace scenarios they’ve experienced or witnessed that fall into three tiers:
      • Tier 1: Easier to Handle
      • Tier 2: Moderately Challenging
      • Tier 3: Courageous Conversation
    • Scenarios should be general enough that others cannot tell exactly who or what it’s about.
    • If participants can’t think of something real, they may use a TV example, a past workplace, or a hypothetical situation.
    • Important: If you’re not ready to receive feedback on a particular situation, do not write it down.

  3. Practicing the Conversations:
    • Participants will pair up.
    • They will take turns enacting each scenario (one tier at a time).
    • The setup mimics walking past each other at work: in the break room, at your desk, etc.
    • The person with the scenario provides just enough context to their partner to make it feel realistic.

  4. Time-Limited Delivery:
    • Each person will have 60 seconds to deliver a "clear is kind" statement.
    • Why 60 seconds? Because if you’re explaining longer than that, you’re likely over-explaining or tiptoeing.

  5. Feedback Round:
    • After the 60-second delivery, the partner gives affirming and adjusting feedback:
      • Affirming: What did they do well?
      • Adjusting: What could make the message even clearer or more direct?

  6. Repeat the Process:
    • Each person will deliver and receive feedback on all three tiers:
      • Partner A: Tier 1
      • Partner B: Tier 1
      • Partner A: Tier 2
      • Partner B: Tier 2
      • Partner A: Tier 3
      • Partner B: Tier 3

  7. Private Reflection (5 Minutes):
    • Each pair reflects quietly on how the exercise went.
    • Discuss what came up emotionally.
    • Share any insights about your own patterns in communication.

  8. Whole Group Debrief:
    • What did this session unlock for you?
    • How will this help you approach future conversations?
    • Did you tend to use too much padding, or were you too blunt?
    • What feedback from your partner was most helpful or eye-opening?
End Goal: Not perfection. Just progress. The goal is to walk out more aware, more equipped, and less likely to hold back when clarity is needed most.

Roll. Camera. Action. Activity ›