Fist to Five
Everyone shows a fist or one to five fingers at the same moment to show how much they support a proposal. A fist is an objection, five is full enthusiasm, and the numbers in between show degrees of support and reservation. People with a fist or one finger get space to say what would change their view, which turns a quick vote into a check on the quality of the decision.
Use when you want a fast read of support for a decision and to catch reservations before they turn into quiet resistance.
Solves: Decisions pass by majority and the doubters never say why, so the problems they saw arrive later.
- 1
Step 1: State the proposal in one sentence and post what each hand means (2 min).
- 2
Step 2: Count down from three. Everyone shows their hand at the same time (1 min).
- 3
Step 3: Look around the room together and say the pattern out loud (1 min).
- 4
Step 4: Invite those showing a fist or one finger to name their concern and what would change it (5-10 min).
- 5
Step 5: Adjust the proposal and vote again, or proceed with a review date if support is weak (2-5 min).
- Agree the meanings before the first vote. Groups use slightly different scales and confusion is common.
- Lots of ones, twos and threes means the decision is a stopgap. Set a date to revisit it.
- Use it early as a readiness check, not only at the end.
- Thumbs up, sideways, down for a three-level version.