Father's Day Reflections

Thank the father figures who shaped your team

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Favorite Memories

What is a favorite memory of your dad or a father figure?

My dad taught me to ride a bike by running alongside me for what felt like miles. I'll never forget the moment he let go.
Every Sunday morning my grandfather made pancakes shaped like animals, and we'd guess what each one was.
My uncle stepped in as my father figure and took me fishing every summer; those quiet hours meant everything.
Lessons Learned

What lesson did a father figure pass on to you?

He always said, 'Measure twice, cut once,' and it applies to far more than carpentry.
My dad taught me that showing up consistently matters more than being perfect.
'Treat everyone with respect, no matter their job title' is advice I carry into every meeting.
Qualities We Admire

What qualities of a great father figure do you most admire?

Patience: my dad never lost his cool, even when I tested every limit.
A great sense of humor that could lighten any tense situation.
Reliability: he was always there when it mattered most.
Appreciation & Thanks

Who would you like to thank and what would you say?

Thank you, Dad, for working two jobs so I could have opportunities you never had.
To my stepfather: thank you for choosing to love us every single day.
Thank you to my mentor who believed in me before I believed in myself.

What is the Father's Day Reflections activity?

Father's Day Reflections gives your team a break from work topics to talk about the dads, grandfathers, mentors and other father figures who shaped them. People share a memory, a lesson they still use and a thank-you, and the session usually ends with colleagues knowing each other a little better than when it started. The board has four prompts: Favorite Memories, Lessons Learned, Qualities We Admire, and Appreciation & Thanks. Everyone adds their own thoughts, the team votes on the ones that stand out, and you talk through the themes that come up. The tone is light but sincere, and the prompts are broad enough that people with very different family situations can take part on their own terms. It's also a reminder that the advice people carry from home shows up at work. A lesson like "keep your word, even when it's hard" often turns into a conversation about how the team works together. It runs the same way whether your team is remote or in one room.

Father's Day Reflections format

Favorite Memories

What is a favorite memory of your dad or a father figure?

Ask people to share a memory of a father, grandfather, mentor or other father figure. Say up front that every kind of story is welcome, funny or heartfelt or simple, and that people can write as much or as little as they like.

Lessons Learned

What lesson did a father figure pass on to you?

Here people share the advice or values a father figure passed down. Ask for the advice that has stuck with them. These often reveal values the team shares and lead to a good conversation about how those lessons show up at work.

Qualities We Admire

What qualities of a great father figure do you most admire?

This prompt is about the traits that make a father figure special, like patience, humor or kindness. Ask people which of those qualities they'd like to show themselves, as parents, mentors or colleagues.

Appreciation & Thanks

Who would you like to thank and what would you say?

Close on a warm note by inviting people to thank a father, father figure or mentor. It can be a public thank-you or a private reflection. Frame it around anyone who offered guidance, since some people won't have a father figure to celebrate.

When to use this retrospective

  • Around Father's Day, to celebrate dads, father figures and mentors as a team.
  • When you want a human break from work-focused retrospectives.
  • When your team would benefit from knowing more about each other through personal stories.
  • As a seasonal activity that brings remote and in-person colleagues together.

Suggested icebreaker questions

  • What's the best (or cheesiest) 'dad joke' you've ever heard?
  • If you could give your dad or a father figure any gift in the world, what would it be?

Want a warm-up your team plays, not just answers out loud? Browse free icebreakers →

Ideas and tips for your retrospective meeting

  • Say at the start that "father figure" can mean a dad, grandfather, uncle, mentor or anyone who offered guidance.
  • Not everyone has a positive or present father figure, so keep every prompt optional and judgment-free.
  • Keep it warm and informal. Humor and stories make the session stick.
  • Use an icebreaker to ease people in before the more personal prompts.
  • Leave enough time for sharing. These conversations are better when nobody is rushed.
  • Share a short summary of the highlights afterward so people can look back on what was said.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Father's Day Reflections activity?
It's a team session where people share memories, lessons, admired qualities and thanks for dads and father figures. It marks the occasion and gives colleagues a chance to learn more about each other.
How long does it take to run?
Plan for 30–45 minutes, depending on team size and how much time you allow for stories and discussion.
Is it inclusive for people without a father figure?
Yes. The prompts are broad and welcome stories about grandfathers, uncles, mentors or anyone who offered guidance. Every prompt is optional.
When should I use this template?
Use it around Father's Day, or any time you want a personal break from a work retrospective.
Can it be run with remote teams?
Yes. It runs in TeamRetro for remote, hybrid and in-person teams, and everyone adds their thoughts on their own device.

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