September Shifts uses seasonal change as inspiration for teams to identify new opportunities, let go of unhelpful habits, and honor ongoing strengths as they enter autumn.

When to use this template

Use this retrospective at the start of September or any period of transition to encourage fresh thinking and align the team around upcoming priorities.

How to facilitate

Begin by welcoming the team and explaining the metaphor of seasonal change as a lens for reflection, focusing on new beginnings, letting go, and growing established strengths.

Set the stage with an icebreaker, such as asking each team member to share a word that describes autumn for them to help everyone get into a reflective mindset.

Introduce the three columns and clarify their meaning, giving examples related to your team’s context to spark ideas.

Invite everyone to add their thoughts privately to each column: Fresh Starts for new practices, Falling Leaves for things to stop, and Autumn Traditions for ongoing strengths.

After silent brainstorming, discuss each column together, grouping similar items, and ensuring every voice is heard.

Facilitate a collaborative discussion about which items to action immediately, focusing especially on supporting new growth and pruning unhelpful habits.

Agree on clear next steps or experiments for the coming month, assigning owners where needed.

Wrap up by highlighting positives from the Autumn Traditions column, and thank the team for their contributions.

Pro Tips

Use seasonal metaphors thoughtfully to surface deeper team insights and avoid making it feel forced—connect themes to real team experiences.

Balance the conversation so each column receives attention, ensuring that the team celebrates what works as much as it changes what doesn’t.

Encourage team members to reflect individually for a minute before brainstorming to bring out more thoughtful responses.

If energy feels low after the summer period, use visuals or light music with autumn vibes to set the mood and re-engage the team.

FAQ

How do I encourage creative thinking with the seasonal theme?

Use relatable examples and allow space for fun interpretations—connect team goals to the concepts of growth, letting go, and nurturing to inspire more genuine input.

What if the same issues keep appearing in the Falling Leaves column?

Facilitate a discussion to explore why these habits persist and brainstorm possible experiments or changes in approach to break through blockages.

How can we ensure that positive traditions aren’t neglected as we focus on change?

Dedicate discussion time to the Autumn Traditions column—ask for stories or examples and celebrate the team’s enduring strengths.

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At a glance

Duration
45–60 min
Team Size
4-10 people
Columns
3 columns
Base Format
Start, Stop, Continue

Ready to get started?

Use this template to run your next retrospective

🍁 September Shifts

As summer fades and autumn arrives, let's reflect on the seasonal changes in our project. Share what fresh starts, falling leaves, and perennial habits we notice as we transition into a new month of agile growth.

Template Columns

🌱 Fresh Starts

🍂 Falling Leaves

🌾 Autumn Traditions

About this template