The role play protocol we use and why it works

Most role plays feel awkward not because the people are bad at it, but because there's no shared structure before anyone starts. Everyone's improvising before they've even begun.

Here's the protocol we use at Bright Morning. It runs in four phases and works in as little as 20 minutes.

Times shown for 30-minute and 20-minute versions.

Setup (3 min / 1 min)

• Coach: Name the scenario.
• Coach: Tell the observer what you want feedback on.
• Observer: Note what the coach wants feedback on. Prepare to script.
• Coach (optional): Ask the "client" to show up a specific way — e.g., "be resistant to my suggestions" — or give them a written scenario to work from.

Role play (12 min / 10 min)

• Coach and client: Stay in the role play. Don't stop to talk about the situation — keep going.
• Observer: Script what the coach says and keep track of time.

Reflection (3 min / 2 min)

• Observer: Review your notes and prepare feedback based on what the coach requested.

Debrief (12 min / 7 min)

• Observer: Share observations and feedback.
• Client: Share observations.
• Coach: Reflect on the role play.

A few things worth noting: the setup is short on purpose. Naming the feedback you want focuses the observer. It also shifts the coach's attention from "don't mess up" to "I'm working on one specific thing."

The instruction to stay in the role play is one people need to hear out loud. The instinct when things get uncomfortable is to step out and explain. Resist it. The discomfort is usually where the learning is.

And scripting—the observer writing down the actual words that were said—is what turns vague impressions into useful feedback. "You did a good job staying curious" isn't feedback. "When she said she was overwhelmed, you asked: 'What would feel more manageable?’—that question landed" is.

You don't need a workshop to use this. Two people, a real situation, twenty minutes. Try it.

And if you want a community to practice with regularly—people who bring real challenges, try new strategies, and give each other thoughtful feedback—that's exactly what our Bright Morning Membership and Learning Library & PLCs are built for.

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