Building Team Trust with the Personal Histories Exercise

A powerful way to start building team health is with the Personal Histories Exercise. This simple, approachable activity helps team members open up to one another, fostering empathy and trust as they share a bit of their personal background. 

The annual planning process is about more than setting goals — it’s about building a connected, high-trust team that can collaborate and tackle challenges effectively and efficiently. 

Here’s what the exercise entails, why it works, and how to add it to your Annual Planning Meeting to build a stronger team.

What Is the Personal Histories Exercise?

The Personal Histories Exercise is a low-risk team-building activity that helps team members connect by sharing parts of their life story. First introduced by Patrick Lencioni in his 2002 book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, this exercise is part of a broader framework for building trust within teams. Answering a few guided questions allows your team to build empathy and trust in a relaxed, yet structured way.

How to Run the Personal Histories Exercise

Incorporate this exercise into your Annual Planning Meeting (APM) with these simple steps:

1. Set the tone: Create a calm, relaxed environment, and let the team know this time is dedicated to building connection and team health.

2. Share and reflect: Give each person a few minutes to jot down responses to these questions:

   • Where did you grow up?

   • How many siblings do you have, and what’s something special about one of them?

   • What was your greatest challenge growing up?

   • What was your first job?

   • What’s one unique thing about you that no one else here knows?

3. Go around the room: Each person shares their answers, with everyone else simply listening.

The Role of Team Health in Annual Planning Meetings

Incorporating team health activities into Annual Planning Meetings can transform your planning session into a meaningful experience that deepens team connection. By weaving in exercises like the Personal Histories Exercise, you create a space where everyone feels valued and aligned on the journey ahead. 

Why Use the Personal Histories Exercise in Annual Planning?

Annual planning is about setting strategic goals and strengthening team health and alignment. It’s a time to revisit where you are as an organization and where you’re headed, ensuring every team member feels connected to the company’s vision and goals. 

The Personal Histories Exercise is one of the team health activities we recommend as part of this process. By fostering openness and trust, it encourages honest, productive collaboration that enhances alignment. When teams connect on a personal level, they communicate more openly, making it easier to achieve their long-term goals together.

Take Your Annual Planning to the Next Level

For more team health exercises and guidance on effective annual planning, check out Ninety’s Ultimate Guide to Annual Planning. 

Personal Histories Exercise Summary

The Personal Histories Exercise is a powerful yet simple way to build team health during annual planning. By creating space for team members to share their stories, you build trust and openness — two essential ingredients for effective collaboration and aligned goal-setting. This exercise, along with other team health practices, can help set the foundation for more collaboration, growth, and success in the year ahead.

Visit the Ultimate Guide to Annual Planning, where you’ll find the Personal Histories Exercise along with more team-building exercises to consider implementing with your team.