Better Out Than In: the importance of bringing emotion into the room

From the moment I walked into the room, I could feel it.

Everyone was happy. Pleased to be together and looking forward to our session.

But there was emotion bubbling just under the surface for everyone in the room.

Do we let it sit there, or do we open it up and talk about what is going on?

You have probably been there before – maybe you were in a team gathering, or you were facilitating a session – as the group gathers you know there is more going on than the surface level smiles and banter.

I have always felt grateful that the work I do with CCS Cards consistently lends itself to bringing out the emotion in the room. To say what might not be said otherwise.

This session was no different.

I was about to run a workshop, training the facilitators on how to use the cards. As always, it is firstly about the people in the room, then we move onto techniques and skills needed to deliver an effective CCS enhanced session.

I started the session with ‘Upside Downside’. I simply handed each person a random CCS Jumbo card and asked them to use the card as a springboard to share what was going on for them – from an Upside, and a Downside.

I went first. This gave me the chance to demonstrate the depth and time expected for the sharing. As well as to set the tone.

When we first created this opener and added it to the CCS User Manual, we used it to set a fun tone. And it worked.

Over the years though, I have noticed that people are seeking, and really need, a moment to share fully and authentically. And that requires a more grounded, always genuine, sometimes solemn, tone.

So, my upside was about my family all being together for my daughters wedding – having a month-long time, with all my grown children home and close. The downside was that they left – and it left me feeling empty and down for quite some time.

Now, it was their turn.

One by one, they opened up with vulnerability and honesty.

They said things that they needed to say, but perhaps would have kept in, had they not been given the chance to say it.

And it was good.

There was wobbliness. There was trembling. There was grace. And there was full support from the rest of the group as each person shared.

And that was just the beginning!

We moved onto a topic, where everyone had their own CCS Vision Pack. I asked everyone to:

“Go through your pack and find 5 cards to describe your experience of 2025 so far.”

They then shared in pairs.

As often happens, those pairs transformed into in their own bubbles.

You could feel the intimate sharing, with each person oblivious to the rest of the room, except their partner.

There were more tears. There was laughter. There were hugs.

And there was gratitude.

What followed was a rich session with participants who were absolutely committed and engaged.

This kind of opening is not appropriate for all settings or for all groups. But I think it’s appropriate in more instances than we may imagine.

The comments people made were things like:

“I know I’m not alone in how I’m feeling”

“I felt validated”

“I feel better for sharing”

“We are all human!”

What sessions do you think you could bring this kind of conversation into?

Remember: if ever you’d like support with planning to use the CCS Cards in your session – please feel free to reach out to me directly by email.

Up-coming event

If you would like to experience the use of the cards in an online setting – bringing emotion into the room and creating deeper connection, then you will want to join Dr Cathryn Lloyd and me in The Visual Shift.