Teamwork Skills

Fist-to-Five: Measuring Support

We are often asked to vote on a proposal or idea at work, but our feelings about the issue aren’t a clear yes or no. The item either gets passed or vetoed and your group moves on with many team members leaving dissatisfied with the outcome. Making a decision as a team is an important skill.

A tool called "Fist to Five" is a great way to help your team quickly gauge each team member’s level of support for a specific idea or proposal. It makes it much easier for people to be honest regarding their degree of support for an initiative. Most importantly, it gives your team important feedback about whether or not to move ahead with a proposed idea.

Once a proposal or idea has been presented to the group, ask each team member to hold up 0 – 5 fingers. If confidentiality is a concern, people can write 0 – 5 on a slip of paper.

Fist: No support – will work to block proposal

I need to talk more about the proposal and require changes for it to pass.

1 Finger: No support - won’t block

still have strong reservations and want to discuss certain issues and suggest changes that should be made.

2 Fingers: Minimal support - willing to work for it

I am moderately comfortable with the proposal but would like to discuss some minor issues.

3 Fingers: Neutral

I’m not in total agreement but feel comfortable to let this decision or proposal pass without further discussion.

4 Fingers: Solid support – clear intent to work for it

I think it’s a good idea/decision and will work for it.

5 Fingers: Strong support - willing to lead proposal

It’s a great idea and I will be one of the leaders in implementing it.

If anyone holds up fewer than three fingers, he or she should be given the opportunity to state their objections and the team should address their concerns. Often these people raise important concerns that have not yet been considered by the group. Teams continue the Fist-to-Five process until they achieve consensus (a minimum of three fingers or higher) or determine they must move on to the next issue.

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