Getting-to-Know-You Map

Purpose

Getting-to-Know-You Maps help team members see each other as whole people — not just job titles. By drawing a radial idea map of personal interests, values, family, hobbies, goals, and history, participants build empathy and trust, which strengthens psychological safety.

At a glance

How to run

1. Introduce the concept (3 min): Show an example Getting-to-Know-You Map with branches for Education, Hobbies, Family, Values, Goals, Work History, and Fun Facts. Emphasise that sharing depth is each person's choice.
2. Draw your map (10 min): Each participant draws their own map on an A3 sheet or digital canvas. Encourage colour, doodles, and personality.
3. Pair share (10 min): In pairs, take turns presenting maps. The listener asks one curious question per branch.
4. Gallery & highlights (5 min): Post all maps visibly. Each person shares one surprise they discovered about their partner.
5. Close (2 min): Invite people to keep maps posted in the team space.

Materials needed

• A3 paper or large sticky sheets
• Coloured markers or pens
• Example getting-to-know-you map (printed or on screen)
• Timer

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Forcing disclosure: Never mandate what to share. Some branches can remain blank.
• Rushing the draw phase: 10 minutes feels short; resist cutting it further.
• Skipping the pair share: Without conversation, the maps are just posters. The dialogue is where trust forms.
• Using it too early: If people just met minutes ago, start with a lighter icebreaker first.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Offer typed digital templates alongside hand-drawn options for participants who find drawing stressful.
• Allow people to describe their map verbally if writing is a barrier.
• Be sensitive to questions about family or origin — frame all branches as optional.
• In multilingual groups, let participants use whichever language feels most comfortable.

Variations

• Team Map: After individual maps, create a collective map showing shared interests and values.
• Update round: Revisit maps quarterly and add new branches — shows how people evolve.
• Digital-first: Use Miro or FigJam templates so remote participants can build rich, visual maps.

When NOT to use this

• When the group is larger than 15 — pair sharing becomes logistically unwieldy.
• When trust is extremely low and people fear personal information being used against them.
• As a standalone team-building event without follow-up — the impact fades without continued relationship investment.

Source & further reading

• Jurgen Appelo, *Management 3.0* (Addison-Wesley, 2011)
• Management 3.0 practice library — Personal Maps
• Tony Buzan, *The Mind Map Book* (Penguin, 2006)