Mad, Sad, Glad organizes the retrospective around emotions. It helps surface tensions that don't come up in more analytical formats.
Use it when there was friction, frustration or a tough delivery. With authors hidden, people speak more freely.
When to use it
- After an incident, a tight deadline or conflict on the team.
- When retros feel shallow and nobody talks about what bothers them.
- With new teams, to learn how people are doing.
The columns and their questions
What made you angry or frustrated?
What disappointed you or could have gone better?
What made you happy or proud?
Step by step (60 minutes)
- Working agreements 5 min
Remind everyone the focus is on situations and processes, never people.
- Silent writing 10 min
Notes with hidden authors, without seeing anyone else's.
- Group 10 min
Reveal and group by theme, not by column.
- Discuss 25 min
Start with Glad, then dig into the top-voted Mad and Sad themes.
- Action items 10 min
Close with concrete actions for the themes that weighed the most.
Facilitation tips
- Turn on hidden authorship for the whole team, including the facilitator.
- Acknowledge feelings before proposing solutions; skipping that step drains the retro.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't it risky to talk about anger at work?
With clear working agreements and a focus on situations, it is safer than leaving frustration with no outlet. Hidden authorship reduces exposure.