Step 2: Welcome People as They Arrive

Welcome participants as they arrive. Ask them to grab a FAQ sheet (as described here) and their photo and to write their name on their photo. Especially in larger groups or in a fast-growing environment, names are important, because not everyone might know everyone else.

If you have some existing squads, ask the members to put their photo into the corresponding squad diagram on the wall to visualize the status quo. If you don’t have any existing squads, ask everyone to hold onto their photo for the upcoming self-selection iterations.

This first interaction of finding their photo, writing their name on it, and, if appropriate, placing it in a squad area is important because it actively involves everyone in the process from the very first moment. And that’s exactly what you want—engaged people who own the process and outcomes of self-selection.