Retrospectives are one of the most powerful opportunities a team has to improve. Yet far too often, they’re skipped because “we don’t have time,” rushed through as an afterthought, or treated as a dull box-checking exercise. Even worse, sometimes they turn into blame sessions that leave people feeling drained rather than energized.

It doesn’t have to be that way. A well-facilitated retrospective can be the most valuable hour of your team’s sprint: the time where psychological safety is built, lessons are learned, and real change begins. With the right approach, retrospectives become not just meetings, but moments of growth, trust, and innovation.