Rose, Thorn, Bud – Reflect with Your Team (FREE Download)
Want a quick, effective way to gather feedback and uncover new opportunities for your team?
Meet the Rose, Thorn, Bud method!
A simple framework to help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where your potential lies.
In this blog, we’ll explain how to use it, why it’s so powerful, and provide a free downloadable template to help you get started.
Contents
What is the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method?
Why Use the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method?
How to Implement Rose, Thorn, Bud in the Workplace
Video Explainer of the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method
Download Your FREE Rose, Thorn, Bud Template
What is the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method?
The Rose, Thorn, Bud method is a simple and powerful exercise designed to help teams and individuals reflect on their experiences in a balanced, forward-thinking way.
Each term plays a distinct role:
Rose
This represents the highlights, successes, or positive aspects worth celebrating (think of it as something that went really well or exceeded expectations).
Thorn
This points to challenges, problems, or hurdles that need attention. Identifying these issues is key to turning them into opportunities for improvement.
Bud
This focuses on new ideas, growth areas, and untapped potential.
By acknowledging what could blossom into a future win, you naturally encourage innovation and creativity.
Using this framework during team meetings makes it easier to spot patterns, address pain points, and build on strengths.
This approach also ensures everyone’s voice is heard, creating an environment for truly collaborative problem-solving.
Why Use the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method?
The Rose, Thorn, Bud method may look simple on the surface, but it can deliver powerful benefits for any team looking to improve collaboration, streamline processes, and spark fresh ideas:
Encourages Balanced Reflection
By intentionally focusing on both the positive (Rose) and the negative (Thorn), you ensure conversations aren’t one-sided.
The Bud component keeps everyone looking ahead, preventing the discussion from becoming all about the past.
Promotes Open Communication
With clear categories, team members feel more comfortable sharing triumphs, frustrations, and future possibilities.
This structure levels the playing field, giving each voice a chance to be heard.
Drives Continuous Improvement
Identifying Thorns calls out areas for growth and exploring Buds pinpoints next steps for innovation.
Over time, this repeated focus on addressing issues and nurturing new ideas drives better outcomes and a stronger team dynamic.
Simple and Adaptable
Unlike more complex feedback systems, Rose, Thorn, Bud is straightforward and can be easily scaled.
Whether you’re a small startup or a large organisation.
It fits neatly into regular meetings or can be used as a standalone reflection session.
Overall, incorporating Rose, Thorn, Bud into your team’s workflow builds a culture that values transparency, celebrates wins, and embraces forward thinking.
By regularly highlighting the good, facing the bad, and dreaming of what’s next, you set the stage for growth at every level.
How to Implement Rose, Thorn, Bud in the Workplace
Making this method relevant to day-to-day operations is key.
Here’s a clear approach:
Pick the Right Moment and Space
Start by choosing a routine time, such as a weekly team meeting or monthly check-in to hold your Rose, Thorn, Bud session.
Make sure everyone knows the purpose is to reflect on workplace goals, projects, and team dynamics.
This establishes the exercise as a genuine business tool rather than just a one-off activity.
Gather Specific Workplace Examples
Encourage team members to think about recent tasks, interactions, or achievements relevant to their roles.
Invite each person to write down one Rose (success or highlight), one Thorn (challenge or bottleneck), and one Bud (opportunity or new idea).
Keeping these real and specific ensures the discussion will directly impact day-to-day work.
Share and Discuss Insights
When it’s time to share, have each person briefly present their Rose, Thorn, and Bud.
This roundtable format helps everyone feel heard and promotes a sense of equality.
Emphasise a constructive mindset.
Roses remind the team of what’s working, Thorns highlight areas for improvement, and Buds spark creative problem-solving.
Prioritise and Delegate Next Steps
As soon as overlapping Thorns or promising Buds appear, capture them.
Decide which issues need immediate attention and which ideas are worth pursuing.
Assign owners or small groups to tackle each action item.
Setting responsibilities and deadlines keeps the exercise from becoming just talk and ensures real change happens in the workplace.
Review and Maintain Momentum
Make sure you revisit these Roses, Thorns, and Buds at the next meeting.
Celebrate any resolved challenges, acknowledge new successes, and track the progress of evolving ideas.
This ongoing cycle of reflection and follow-through builds a culture of continuous improvement, helping your team stay focused, motivated, and ready for the next opportunity.
Video Explainer of the Rose, Thorn, Bud Method
Download Your FREE Rose, Thorn, Bud Template
Author
Tyler Lowe
Workshop Facilitator and Wellbeing Speaker
