Capturing Emotions: Team Self-Assessment as a Tool for Development

Behind every successful inclusion initiative lies a team of people who collaborate, reflect, and grow together. Within the framework of the program “Social Inclusion: The Power of Sports”, the recording of emotions and the self-evaluation of the team constituted key elements in ensuring the quality and meaningful progress of the project.

Our team, composed of educators and coordinators, consciously chose to integrate reflective practices at every stage of the program. The aim was not only to assess outcomes, but also to understand how the experience was lived on a human level. Emotions—both positive and challenging—served as valuable indicators of the team’s functionality and the dynamics of collaboration.

To capture these emotions, various self-evaluation methods were employed. During regular meetings, team members were invited to share thoughts, experiences, and feelings that emerged throughout the implementation of the activities. Open discussion, within a climate of trust and respect, functioned as a fundamental tool for empowerment and team cohesion.

At the same time, simple self-evaluation tools were utilized, such as short reflective questionnaires and written notes following each major activity. Through these processes, the team was able to identify moments of enthusiasm, satisfaction, and pride, as well as moments of stress, fatigue, or uncertainty. The recognition of all emotions, without exclusion, was a core principle of our approach.

Particular emphasis was placed on how these emotions were transformed into knowledge and improvement. Self-evaluation was not critical in nature, but developmental. The team’s observations and emotional experiences were used to adjust planning, improve communication, and strengthen mutual support among members.

This process contributed decisively to the creation of a team with a shared vision and a strong sense of responsibility. Through reflection, team members developed greater awareness of their roles, reinforced solidarity among themselves, and cultivated an environment in which every opinion and every emotion is valued.

The recording of emotions and the self-evaluation of the team highlighted that the success of a program does not depend solely on outcomes, but also on the way those outcomes are achieved. Through this process, the program evolved not only as an initiative, but also as a collective experience of learning, collaboration, and personal development.