Introduction
The Valence tools are designed to enhance a team's ability to monitor its effectiveness and conduct regular check-ins. These tools help your team identify opportunities for growth while maintaining existing strengths. While we recommend 90-minute sessions for both Align and Perspective conversations individually, teams often have varying amounts of time available. Fortunately, these tools are flexible and can be adapted to different time constraints.
This article provides guidance on how to effectively use the Align and Perspective tools in one-hour, two-hour, and four-hour team discussions.
One-Hour Team Discussion
Using Align for a One-Hour Session
If you're using Align in a one-hour session, we highly recommend structuring your time as follows:
First 10 minutes: Kick off with the Align discussion tool to hear everyone's initial thoughts. This warm-up step helps surface key thoughts and emotions before diving into a structured discussion.
Next 10 minutes: Prioritize the main focus areas based on team input. Identify the most pressing concern or opportunity that the team wants to address.
Next 35 minutes: Deep dive into your top priority. Given the limited time, it's best to focus on a single topic to ensure a meaningful discussion. If necessary, you can schedule follow-up time for additional topics.
Final 5 minutes: Align on the key actions the team will take to address the priority discussed. Ensure that the next steps are clear and that responsibilities are assigned.
You can learn more about how to set up an Align discussion here.
Using Perspective for a One-Hour Session
A one-hour Perspective session can still be highly effective with some adjustments:
Skip introductions: Given the short time frame, forgo individual introductions and move directly into discussing the report.
Focus on key insights: Dive deep into different sections of the report, covering as much ground as possible.
Last 5–8 minutes: Summarize the key takeaways from the discussion and decide on follow-up actions to ensure that insights lead to tangible improvements.
You can learn more about how to set up a Perspective discussion here.
Two-Hour Team Discussion
For a two-hour session, we recommend three different approaches:
Spending two hours on Align
Follow the standard Align discussion flow.
Instead of selecting two statements, choose three statements to discuss.
Spend the last 15 minutes on concrete action items, which will be added to the habit tools.
You can learn more about how to set up an Align discussion here.
Spending two hours on Perspective
In the introduction, conduct the pairing activity with two partners instead of one.
Spend the first 40 minutes in two separate 20-minute pair discussions.
Return for a 5-minute debrief on the pairing experience.
Use the remaining time to discuss the report as an entire team.
Dedicate the last 15 minutes to defining actions, which will be added to the habit tool.
You can learn more about how to set up a Perspective discussion here.
Combining Align and Perspective (60 minutes each)
Use the first hour for an Align session, following a condensed structure.
Transition into a Perspective discussion for the second hour.
Ensure each session ends with clearly defined next steps and action items.
Learn how to set up habits after your discussion.
Four-Hour Team Discussion
Ready for a deep dive? For a four-hour session, we recommend combining both the Align and Perspective discussion tools. Typically, these two tools take 90 minutes each, totaling a three-hour agenda. However, this format allows for a structured approach:
Start with Perspective: This helps team members get to know each other better and reflect on individual and team dynamics.
You can learn more about how to set up a Perspective discussion here.
Move into Align: This allows the team to discuss changes and improvements they want to make while working together.
You can learn more about how to set up an Align discussion here.
Spend the final 20 minutes on actions and next steps: This ensures that the session leads to concrete outcomes and follow-through.
Note for larger teams: If your team has more than 25 people, we recommend splitting into 2 groups. Make sure both groups are discussing similar topics so that everyone gets a chance to share their perspective. Plan time for the groups to come together and discuss key points so the whole team can finalize action items together.
Additional Considerations:
Flexible timing: You can adjust the session by having a one-hour Perspective conversation followed by a two to two-and-a-half-hour Align discussion, depending on what works best for your team.
Extended Perspective discussions: You can increase time spent in Perspective by incorporating additional pairs or deeper team discussions.
Breaks: For four-hour sessions, we recommend a 10–15 minute break between the Perspective and Align discussions to refresh participants.
Splitting the session: If conducting a four-hour session in one day feels too long, consider breaking it up:
Same-day option: Hold the Perspective session in the morning and the Align session in the afternoon.
Two-day off-site option: Conduct Perspective on the first day and Align on the second day.
Write down action items: Consider appointing a dedicated note-taker for your session. In person, they can capture action items on a flip chart or whiteboard. For virtual sessions, share your screen while documenting so everyone can follow along. Before adding items to the habit tool, ensure the team not only understands but fully agrees with the proposed actions.
Four-hour sessions are typically used for full-team off-sites or collaboration days where the team is focused on improving their work dynamics and collaboration.
Learn how to set up habits after your discussion.
If you have questions, please reach out to our team at hi@valence.co or just click the blue chat button in the corner.
Have a great session!