Stinky Fish
Share fears and concerns before they grow bigger.
PURPOSE
Unspoken fears and concerns within a team block collaboration and prevent open communication. The Stinky Fish method gives these uncomfortable topics a safe space before they get worse. Like a fish that smells worse the longer you ignore it, team problems also grow bigger when they're not addressed.
HOW TO USE
Each participant writes their personal Stinky Fish on a template: a topic, a fear, or a concern that has remained unspoken. In a round, each person shares their Stinky Fish with the group, without immediately seeking solutions. The mere act of voicing and sharing already creates relief and opens the way for constructive conversations.
WHAT IT IS
Stinky Fish is a facilitation method by Hyper Island, used as an icebreaker or conversation opener in workshops. The metaphor of the stinky fish represents topics that become more unpleasant the longer you avoid them. The method uses a simple visual template with a fish outline on which the personal concern is noted.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your newly assembled project team is starting a complex assignment and you sense that unspoken concerns are in the room. With the Stinky Fish method, everyone writes their biggest worry on a fish outline — such as 'I'm afraid my skills won't be enough' or 'I fear the timeline is unrealistic.' Sharing creates trust.