True for You
A Distributed Work Tool
This experience creates connection and joy as team members find commonalities, learn about each other, and hear stories. They turn their video on when a statement is true for them and then share a story.
“Turn on your camera if you’ve ever been on a really long bus ride.”
Basic Version
All team members turn off their cameras. The leader begins by making a statement followed by “Turn on your cameras if that’s true for you.”
The leader chooses a variety of statements ranging from general, random, personal, topical, or whatever feels right for their team. The leader also facilities micro discussions and storytelling for each group of people that turn on their cameras.
Example statements
Turn on your camera if you . . .
prefer working in a busy office full of people
have ever had a weird hobby
have a food allergy
have a particular food or dish you are good at making
have a pet
have kids
work better with a deadline
really like to hike
Advanced Variations
There are so many ways to use the “True for You” mechanic of “turn on your camera if the statement is true for you.” Here are a few.
Everyone Gets a Round
Each round begins with a different team member leading with a true personal statement and asking, “Is it true for you?” Those team members who turn on their cameras briefly discuss the topic, and then another round begins with a new team member’s statement.
Integration: With Presentations
You can use this experience to lead a follow-up conversation about a presentation.
For example, you might say, “Turn on your camera if you . . .”
agree with the idea I shared on Slide 5
have questions about our strategy
disagree with this statement
have an idea about reaching one of the identified segments
Why It Works
This activity is built on two social psychology effects.
The first is a “you are like me” effect in which we feel more connection with people who have specific commonalities with us—called affinities by social psychologists.
The second phenomenon is an “I know you” or “familiarity” effect in which people tend to feel more connected when they know more details about each other.
