On a recent trip to Northern California, I found myself mesmerized by the sardine tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Thousands of sardines swam almost effortlessly in the same direction, creating a shimmering silver loop around the overhead tank. It was a stunning display of coordination.

Then the staff tossed food into the tank.

Suddenly, the synchronized school broke into chaos. Sardines darted in every direction, each competing to get its share of the food. But just as quickly as the frenzy began, order returned. The sardines regrouped and resumed swimming in the same direction.

Watching this unfold reminded me of what happens at the start of a project. Ideas fly, opinions compete, and everyone wants their voice heard. It can feel like a feeding frenzy. But just like those sardines, the goal is to bring everyone together, moving in the same direction toward a shared vision.

When the loudest voices take over

In the workplace, the best ideas don’t always get the attention they deserve. Too often, the loudest voices dominate conversations, especially in larger groups. A handful of strongly held opinions can derail progress as individuals advocate for their department’s priorities or fight to get their preferred solutions across the finish line.

The bigger picture can easily get lost in the noise.

When this happens, some team members feel overlooked or excluded from important decisions. Valuable perspectives go unheard, limiting the group’s ability to make informed choices. The result? Less creativity, fewer possibilities, lower engagement and missed opportunities to move the organization forward.

So, how do you create an environment where everyone has a voice, collaboration comes naturally and the entire team can swim in the same direction?

One place to start is with a collaborative methodology like Design Thinking.

Design Thinking is a great start, but there’s a catch

Design Thinking creates a safe, collaborative space where people can share ideas, explore possibilities and tackle complex challenges. It encourages participants to think beyond conventional solutions, using imagination, intuition and diverse perspectives to envision what could be.

When done well, problem-solving becomes a shared creative experience. Teams draw on the collective knowledge and ideas of an organization to address big challenges, uncover new opportunities and drive meaningful change.

But even with Design Thinking, one important challenge remains: getting meaningful feedback from all stakeholders.

Too often, the same dynamic that affects traditional meetings creeps into the process. The loudest voices steer the conversation, competing opinions take center stage, and decision-makers struggle to separate individual preferences from the feedback that matters most.

Sometimes, teams get caught in an endless cycle of discussion and revisions. Instead of making progress, they keep revisiting earlier decisions and hitting the reset button.

That’s frustrating for everyone, especially when the goal is to move forward.

We saw an opportunity to change that. Enter the Feedback Lab.

Meet the Feedback Lab

Inspired by Design Thinking, the Feedback Lab creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where stakeholders can explore concepts, share perspectives and provide feedback without feeling pressured to compete for airtime.

The idea is simple: Give everyone an equal opportunity to contribute, capture a broader range of perspectives and help decision-makers make better-informed choices.

Rather than relying on a traditional review meeting, the Feedback Lab creates an interactive experience where people can engage with a project on their own terms.

It’s collaboration with a purpose, and it puts people at the center of the decision-making process.

How does a Feedback Lab work?

Think of a Feedback Lab as an open house for ideas. It’s a place where people can learn about a project, ask questions, raise concerns and share honest feedback.

It’s also an opportunity to build awareness, create excitement and help stakeholders feel invested in the outcome.

Ready to create your own Feedback Lab? Here’s how to get started.

1. Find an open, accessible space.

Choose a location where designs, wireframes, prototypes or concepts can be displayed. Make sure the space is easy to access so people can stop by, explore the work and see what’s happening.

2. Set the vibe.

Think less formal review meeting and more relaxed networking event. Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Food and drinks can help make the experience more inviting and encourage participation.

3. Keep the schedule flexible.

Plan for a two- to four-hour session. This gives stakeholders the flexibility to drop in when their schedules allow, connect with the project team and share their perspectives without committing to a lengthy meeting.

4. Make participation easy.

Let visitors know they can stay for as little or as long as they like. Encourage stakeholders to invite colleagues who may be interested in the project or have valuable insights to share. Make it clear that this is their opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns and contribute ideas.

5. Give everyone a way to share feedback.

Place colorful sticky notes and pens at the entrance. Invite visitors to jot down their thoughts as they explore the designs. Written feedback gives people another way to contribute, especially those who may not feel comfortable speaking up in a group.

6. Make time for meaningful conversations.

Product owners, project managers, designers and UX team members: This is your moment to connect with stakeholders.

Spend a few minutes with each visitor. Ask what they like, what they don’t like and what questions or concerns they have. Most importantly, listen. Capture their feedback, ask follow-up questions and encourage open conversations.

Don’t underestimate the value of a fresh perspective. Great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of their role or title.

7. Make inclusion the priority.

Create an environment where every visitor feels welcome, respected and valued. Avoid allowing a few strong opinions to dominate the conversation. Make space for different perspectives and ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate.

The goal isn’t simply to collect feedback. It’s to make people feel like they are part of the process.

Better feedback. Stronger decisions. Shared ownership.

A Feedback Lab does more than generate ideas. It builds understanding, strengthens relationships and creates a sense of shared ownership in the decision-making process.

For project teams, it’s an opportunity to connect directly with stakeholders, explain the vision and showcase their work. For stakeholders, it’s a chance to see what’s taking shape, ask questions and influence the outcome.

Perhaps most importantly, a Feedback Lab can uncover challenges, assumptions and opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed until much later in the project. Identifying these insights early gives teams a chance to address concerns before investing time and resources in development.

When people feel heard, they become more engaged. When teams embrace different perspectives, they make stronger decisions. And when everyone has a stake in the outcome, collaboration becomes more than a buzzword. It becomes part of how work gets done.

Remember those sardines? When everyone is swimming in the same direction, it’s a beautiful thing to watch.

So, throw a party. Invite people in. Make room for every voice.

Be collaborative, make better decisions and create something great together!