The Perfection Game is a way to give constructive feedback whenever you want to improve something. Jim & Michele McCarthy developed it as part of the Core Protocols.
The Perfection Game works as follows:
- Someone presents their work (e.g. a session proposal) and asks for feedback
- You rate the work on a scale of 1 to 10, based on how much value you can add:
I will for example give a 9 out of 10 if I see little value that can be added, a 5 out of 10 if I can double the value of the work, and 1 out of 10 if I can make the work worth 10 times more valuable. - Explain what you liked about it: what justifies the score? What should be kept?
- Explain what you would do to make the work perfect: What concrete actions should be taken to make it a 10 out of 10?
When you give feedback:
- Think deeply when you explain how to make a work perfect. It’s tempting to make negative remarks, yet make them constructive
- Explain your reasoning – e.g. “I would do X because of Y”
- Don’t skimp on the “What I liked section”; the good parts should be kept and reinforced
- Make sure that your score reflects the contribution you think you can make
- Follow up and give updated feedback when the session proposal has been changed. Iteration leads to perfection.
When you receive feedback:
- Thank the person giving the feedback
- Don’t argue with the person giving feedback, but ask questions to clarify the input
- You are responsible for the quality of the work, you decide if you apply the feedback you received