🧞♂️ Genie’s Magic Lamp Retro
Rub the magic lamp and summon your Genie for a retrospective full of wishes and wonders. Let’s reveal what powered our journey, what kept us bottled up, and what wishes we want granted next!
Template Columns
💨 Wishes Granted
Share the magical forces and helpful events that propelled our work forward.
Base column: Wind🕌 Lamp’s Limitations
Reveal the obstacles or restraints that kept us stuck inside the lamp.
Base column: Anchors✨ Next Three Wishes
Propose the most important magic wishes (actions) to unlock more success next time.
Base column: ActionsAbout this template
The Genie’s Magic Lamp Retro helps teams reflect on what fueled their progress, surface blockers, and collaboratively identify actionable wishes for future improvement.
When to use this template
Use this template when your team needs a creative, energizing reflection that taps into wins, barriers, and actionable next steps—especially effective after a challenging or milestone-rich sprint.
How to facilitate
Start by welcoming the team to the Genie’s Magic Lamp Retro and explain each column’s purpose, emphasizing the magical theme to encourage imaginative contributions.
Invite everyone to reflect individually and add notes to the columns: Wishes Granted for successes, Lamp’s Limitations for blockers, and Next Three Wishes for desired future changes.
After silent writing, review all notes together—read them aloud as a group, encouraging elaboration or clarification where needed.
Facilitate a group discussion about key patterns and priorities, especially focusing on recurring Lamp’s Limitations and powerful wishes.
Guide the team to select and refine the top 'Next Three Wishes' into clear, actionable tasks, assigning owners where possible.
Wrap up by acknowledging the 'magic' created together, celebrating progress, and sharing gratitude or shoutouts.
Pro Tips
Lean into the whimsical theme by using playful language or Genie-themed backgrounds to boost engagement.
Encourage phrasing wishes as concrete, achievable actions—not abstract dreams.
Prompt quieter team members with direct questions or anonymous input options if participation lags.
Timebox each section to keep energy high and the session focused.
Share completed 'Next Three Wishes' visibly after the retro to drive follow-up action.
FAQ
What if participants only suggest big or unrealistic wishes?
Guide the team to break large wishes into smaller, actionable steps and focus on what’s within the team's control.
How do you handle lots of Lamp’s Limitations without feeling overwhelmed?
Cluster similar limitations, prioritize by impact, and brainstorm targeted wishes specifically addressing the top blockers.
Is this template suitable for non-technical or cross-functional teams?
Yes, the creative format and focus on wishes, wins, and obstacles work for any group seeking reflective improvement.
Want a custom template?
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At a glance
- Duration
40–55 min
- Team Size
4-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Wind, Anchors, Actions
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective