The Team Thermometer Cheatsheet

A simple scale to help your team notice (and talk about) its current level of tension.

Every team feels tension.
Sometimes it drives you.
Sometimes it drains you.

This cheatsheet helps you see the difference.
And talk about it before silence takes over.

What’s inside

A one-page guide.
Simple. Visual. Practical.

🔵 Comfort (1–2) Safe and steady. But little growth.
🟢 Growth (3–4) Healthy tension. Energy. Focus.
🔴 Pressure (5+) Fast and demanding. Risk of burnout.

You’ll find:

• What each zone feels like
• How to move between them
• Three habits to ride the waves
• A short check-in for your stand-up or retro

How to use it

Print it.
Pin it.
Talk about it.

Ask your team:

“Where are you today?”

No judgement. Just awareness.

Once a quarter, ask again:

“What level of tension feels right for us now?”

That’s how rhythm starts.
Small questions. Real conversations.

Who it’s for

Leaders. Scrum Masters. Agile Coaches.
Anyone who wants to make psychological safety real.

Silence looks like calm... until it isn’t.