Recently I had the opportunity to facilitate the Start, Stop, Continue (SSC) exercise with a division in a pharmaceutical company, and wow — what an experience! The team took the process seriously, and the result was a practical, actionable list that will guide their work for the next year. What was really exciting to see was how much buy-in there was for the next steps. Why? Because the initiatives came directly from the team. When people are part of creating the plan, they’re far more invested in its success.

I’ve seen this happen time and time again, which is why I’m such a big fan of the SSC exercise. It’s simple, powerful, and has applications far beyond just team meetings—it’s even used in stay interviews, a tool used to figure out why employees stay at a company, and to understand what keeps employees engaged.

What Exactly Is the SSC Exercise?

 

The Start, Stop, Continue exercise is a straightforward framework designed to help teams reflect on their actions and improve how they work together. It’s been used in everything from personal development to business strategy, and it’s as easy as it sounds. The idea is to sort actions into three categories:

• Start: What should we start doing that will help us reach our goals and make a real difference?

• Stop: What should we stop doing because it’s not adding any value or maybe it’s even slowing us down?

• Continue: What is working well that we need to keep doing to stay on track?

This simple exercise leads to powerful insights and helps teams make smarter decisions about where to focus their time and energy.

How Can SSC Help Your Team?

 

The benefits of the SSC exercise are wide-ranging. Here’s a look at what it can do for your team:

• Streamline Processes: It helps pinpoint activities that are inefficient or unnecessary, which means you can streamline processes and reduce waste. More efficiency means better productivity!

• Strengthen Team Collaboration: By encouraging open-ended questions and honest feedback, SSC helps build a stronger, more cohesive team. When everyone feels heard, the whole team works better together.

• Foster Trust and Openness: One of the most underrated benefits of SSC is the trust it builds. When feedback becomes a regular habit and team members feel comfortable speaking candidly, you create an environment where people feel safe to share ideas and take risks. That’s where innovation happens!

How to Make the Most of SSC

 

Here are some practical tips for running a successful SSC exercise with your team:

• Get Everyone Involved: The real magic of SSC comes when everyone participates. Make sure all voices are heard—different perspectives lead to richer insights.

• Check In Regularly: The SSC list you create shouldn’t just sit in a drawer. Keep it alive! Review your progress regularly. Use a spreadsheet, a visual board, or whatever works for your team to track how things are going.

• Break Into Small Groups (If Helpful): If you’re doing this exercise virtually or with a large team, use breakout rooms. Smaller groups can have more focused discussions, and then you can bring everyone back together to share insights with the whole team.

Applying SSC to Stay Interviews

 

One of the reasons I love SSC is that it’s so versatile. It works just as well in a stay interview. You ask similar questions to understand what’s working, what needs to change, and what should stay the same. It’s a great way to get a pulse on what keeps your best people engaged.

Wrapping It Up

 

At its core the Start, Stop, Continue exercise is about creating a roadmap for improvement, both as individuals and as a team. It’s simple, but it works. Whether you’re looking to streamline processes, boost team morale, or conduct more meaningful stay interviews, SSC can be the guide you need to spark positive change.