Do you want to conduct the values auction activity with your teams?
The values auction is a powerful team exercise rooted in understanding what drives individual and group behavior. It forces participants to make difficult choices, revealing their core priorities when resources are limited. This process highlights the trade-offs we make daily, translating abstract concepts into tangible decisions.
In this article, let’s see how you can use this activity to build a stronger, more aligned team.
Here is an overview of the sections in this article:
- Objective of the Activity
- 5 Variations of the Values Auction Activity
- Tips for Successful Facilitation
- Frequently Asked Questions
Objective of the Activity
The primary goal of the values auction is to help individuals and teams clarify what is most important to them. It creates a dynamic environment for exploring personal priorities plus group principles.
Let’s explore the key objectives of this engaging exercise.
To Uncover Core Values
The activity pushes participants beyond surface-level preferences. By forcing them to “bid” on values with limited resources, it reveals what they truly prioritize when faced with constraints. This process helps individuals recognize the principles that guide their decisions in both work and life.
To Foster Self-Awareness
Participants gain insight into their own decision-making processes. They learn why they are drawn to certain principles. This self-reflection is a critical step toward personal growth and professional development, enhancing emotional intelligence.
To Understand Team Dynamics
Observing which values the team collectively bids on provides a snapshot of the group’s shared priorities. It can highlight areas of strong alignment. It can also expose surprising differences in what team members consider important.
To Stimulate Meaningful Dialogue
The debrief session is as crucial as the auction itself. It opens the door for rich conversations about why certain principles were chosen. This dialogue builds empathy, trust, and mutual understanding among team members.
To Align on a Shared Vision
For teams, the activity can be a starting point for defining or refining a collective mission. By seeing which principles resonate most strongly with the group, leaders can help align the team around a shared purpose, boosting motivation and cohesion.
5 Variations of the Values Auction Activity
Here are 5 variations of the values auction that you can adapt for different team contexts and goals.
#1. The Classic Values Auction
This is the foundational version of the activity, focusing on individual reflection within a group setting. Participants use a fictional budget to bid on a list of predefined values, making their priorities clear.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of 20-30 values, pens, and paper for each person with a fictional budget (e.g., $1,000)
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Provide each team member with the list of values and a fixed budget. Explain that they will use this money to “buy” the values that are most important to them.
- Start the auction by presenting the first value. Ask participants to bid on it, with the highest bidder winning that value for their personal list.
- Continue the auction for all the values. Remind participants to manage their budget carefully, as they cannot overspend. For example, if someone spends their entire budget on “Creativity,” they cannot bid on “Security” later.
- Once everything is auctioned, ask everyone to review the values they successfully “purchased.”
Debrief
- What was the most difficult choice you had to make during the auction?
- Which values did you let go of that surprised you?
- How do the values you purchased reflect your priorities at work?
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#2. The Team Table Auction
This variation shifts the focus from individual priorities to collective decision-making. Teams must work together to decide which values to bid on for the entire group.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of values, a single budget sheet per team, and a designated spokesperson
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Divide participants into small teams. Give each team a single budget and the list of values.
- Instruct the teams to discuss among themselves which values are most important for their group’s success. They must agree on a bidding strategy.
- Run the auction as usual. A team’s designated spokesperson places bids on behalf of their group.
- After the auction, ask each team to present the values they acquired. They should explain why those principles are important to them as a collective. For instance, a sales team might purchase “Achievement” and “Collaboration.”
Debrief
- How did your team decide which values to prioritize?
- Were there any disagreements during the discussion, and how did you resolve them?
- What does your final list of values say about your team’s identity?
#3. The Silent Auction
This version removes the open bidding pressure and allows for more private, reflective choices. Participants write down their bids secretly, and the value goes to the highest bidder.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of values, pens, and small slips of paper for bidding
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Provide everyone with the values list and a budget. Explain that they will submit secret bids for each value.
- Announce a value. Ask team members to write down the value and their bid amount on a slip of paper.
- Collect all the slips for that value. Announce the highest bidder, who then “owns” that value and must deduct the amount from their budget. For example, if the highest bid for “Honesty” is $400, that person wins it.
- Continue until all values are auctioned or time runs out.
Debrief
- How did bidding silently change your strategy compared to an open auction?
- Were you surprised by who won certain values or the amounts they bid? If so, why?
- Did you bid high on one specific value, or did you try to acquire several? If so, why?
#4. The Negative Values Auction
This twist reverses the objective, asking teams to spend money to get rid of negative traits. It helps groups identify behaviors they want to avoid.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of 15-20 negative values (e.g., “Micromanagement,” “Gossip,” “Procrastination”, etc.), and a budget per team
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Form teams and give each a budget. Present the list of negative values or anti-values.
- Explain that the goal is to “buy” and thereby eliminate negative traits from the team. The highest bidder for a negative value gets to discard it.
- Run the auction, asking teams to bid on the anti-values they most want to remove. For instance, a team might bid heavily to get rid of “Blame Culture.”
- After the auction, have teams discuss the negative values they eliminated and why they were important.
Debrief
- Which negative value did your team feel was most critical to eliminate?
- What positive value is the opposite of the anti-value you bought?
- What practical steps can the team take to prevent these negative behaviors?
#5. The “Principles” Gift Exchange
This version focuses on empathy and recognizing others’ priorities. Participants use their budget to “buy” principles they believe are important to their colleagues.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: A list of principles, a budget for each person, and names of participants in a hat
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Have each team member secretly draw the name of a colleague from a hat. They will be buying principles for this person.
- Run the auction in the classic style. Participants should bid on principles they believe are important to their assigned person.
- After the auction, participants present the principles they purchased to their partner. For example, someone might say, “I bought ‘Learning’ for you because I know how much you value personal growth.”
- The recipient then shares whether the gift was accurate and how it made them feel.
Debrief
- How well did you feel your partner understood your principles?
- What did you learn about a colleague by trying to buy principles for them?
- How does this exercise change your perception of your teammates?
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Tips for Successful Facilitation
A well-facilitated values auction can be a transformative experience for a team. The facilitator’s role is to create a safe space for discovery and guide the conversation toward meaningful insights.
Here are some tips to ensure your session is a success.
Set a Clear and Safe Context
Before starting, explain the purpose of the activity. Reassure participants that there are no right or wrong answers and that the goal is exploration, not judgment. This helps create psychological safety, encouraging honest participation without fear of criticism.
Choose Relevant Values
Customize the list of values to fit your team and industry. While general principles like “Honesty” are universal, including more specific ones like “Innovation,” “Customer-Centricity,” or “Data-Driven Decisions” can make the exercise more relevant to your team’s daily work.
Keep the Pace Energetic
The auction format should feel dynamic. Move through the principles at a brisk pace to simulate the pressure of making quick decisions with limited resources. This energy prevents overthinking and encourages more instinctual choices, which often reveal deeper priorities.
Manage the Budget and Bidding
Clearly explain the budget rules. Remind participants to track their spending. During the auction, you can create excitement by acting like a real auctioneer, calling out bids and building anticipation. This lighthearted approach keeps participants engaged.
Prioritize the Debrief
The real learning happens after the auction ends. Allocate at least half of the total time for the debrief discussion. Use open-ended questions to guide the conversation and encourage participants to share the “why” behind their choices. Connect their individual principles to the team’s collective identity and goals.
Final Words
The values auction is more than just a game; it is a mirror that reflects individual priorities and team dynamics. By making abstract concepts tangible, it provides a unique platform for self-discovery and mutual understanding. This exercise equips teams with a shared language to discuss what truly matters. It helps build a foundation of alignment and purpose. Ultimately, it strengthens the human connections that are vital for any successful group.
FAQ: Values Auction Activity
You might have these questions in mind.
What if a team can’t agree on a value?
This is a valuable learning moment. If a team is deadlocked, it highlights a point of differing priorities. The facilitator should encourage them to discuss the disagreement openly to understand each other’s perspectives.
How many values should be on the list?
A list of 20-30 values is usually effective. This provides enough choice to create interesting dilemmas without overwhelming participants. The key is to have more desirable principles than can be realistically purchased with the given budgets.
Can this activity be done virtually?
Yes, the values auction works very well in a virtual setting. You can use a shared spreadsheet to track budgets and a chat feature for bidding. Breakout rooms are perfect for the team-based variations to allow for small group discussions.
What if someone doesn’t participate actively?
Create a low-pressure environment. A silent auction variation might be better for introverted individuals. During the debrief, you can gently invite quieter participants to share by asking questions like, “What was one thing that stood out to you?”
How often should a team do this activity?
Doing this activity monthly or when a team’s composition changes can be very beneficial. It is also useful during strategic planning sessions. It helps to check in on team alignment and ensure everyone is still moving in the same direction.