🌏🗣️ Lost in Translation
Welcome to our multilingual retrospective! Let’s uncover what was crystal clear, what got lost in translation, and where miscommunications sparked frustration, turning our project into a truly global adventure.
Template Columns
💬 Clear Messages
Share moments where communication was spot-on and everyone was in sync.
Base column: Glad😕 Mixed Signals
Highlight times when the signal got fuzzy or messages weren’t fully understood.
Base column: Sad😤 Babel Frustrations
Express aggravations where misunderstandings led to roadblocks or conflicts.
Base column: MadAbout this template
The Lost in Translation retrospective helps teams explore clarity, misunderstandings, and frustrations arising from multilingual or cross-cultural communication, driving improvements in how information is exchanged.
When to use this template
Use this retrospective when collaborating across languages, cultures, or remote locations, especially if communication breakdowns or misinterpretations have impacted teamwork or project outcomes.
How to facilitate
Open with a warm welcome and introduce the purpose: exploring how communication influenced the recent project cycle, especially across languages or cultural boundaries.
Invite everyone to silently reflect for a few minutes on times when conversations were clear, mixed, or led to confusion and frustration.
Guide team members to add their thoughts to the three columns: Clear Messages, Mixed Signals, and Babel Frustrations, making sure to encourage honest sharing from all perspectives.
Review each column, reading out key cards or comments, and invite the author (if comfortable) to provide extra context or examples.
Facilitate group discussion around recurring themes, focusing on where clarity was achieved and where misunderstandings began.
Encourage the team to brainstorm practical steps for improving communication (such as defining glossaries, using visual aids, or double-checking understanding).
Close by selecting a few concrete actions to trial in the next cycle and thank the team for their openness.
Pro Tips
Invite someone to act as a 'translation ambassador' who can clarify terminology or act as a bridge between different language speakers.
Reinforce psychological safety so participants feel comfortable admitting when they didn’t understand something.
Encourage examples from across time zones, departments, and platforms to capture the full picture of communication challenges.
Summarize major themes and ensure that next steps are actionable and assigned to owners.
Let the team vote on top communication pain points to focus improvement efforts.
FAQ
What if participants are hesitant to share communication problems?
Begin by sharing your own example or use anonymous submissions to break the ice and foster trust.
How do I keep the discussion solutions-focused instead of blame-focused?
Guide conversations toward shared learning and future improvements, reminding the team that everyone experiences communication hiccups.
Is this retrospective only for multilingual teams?
No, it's great for any team that experiences miscommunication, regardless of language—it works for cross-functional or distributed groups too.
At a glance
- Duration
45–60 min
- Team Size
3-10 people
- Columns
3 columns
- Base Format
Glad, Sad, Mad
Tags
Ready to get started?
Use this template to run your next retrospective