The quiet before the rotation wheel spins

The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that comes right before you ask for a volunteer. I could see the slight shift in posture, the quick glance at a calendar on a phone screen. Everyone knew what was coming, and no one wanted to be the first to speak.

That moment of collective hesitation

It’s not that anyone minds the work itself. We all signed up for it. The tension is in the choosing, in the feeling that someone might get a raw deal or that a preference might be overlooked. It’s a small thing, but it can cast a shadow.I’ve learned that fairness isn't just about the outcome. It’s about the process feeling transparent, about removing the burden of having to negotiate or justify. The goal is to get from the quiet to a shared nod, without any lingering resentment.

Letting the wheel hold the weight

Introducing the rotation wheel wasn't about adding process. It was about taking something off everyone’s plate—the mental load of tracking, the awkwardness of suggesting, the defensiveness of being asked. The wheel just is. It’s impartial.There’s a palpable relief when it’s not a personal decision anymore. The responsibility shifts from me, or from any individual, to the system we all agreed to. It turns a potential friction point into a simple administrative step.

The names on the list

Seeing everyone’s name listed there, equally, does something. It visually reinforces that we’re all in this together, that the load is shared. It’s a small, constant reminder of our collective agreement.

When the pointer lands

The spin itself has become a bit of a ritual. There’s a brief, almost playful suspense, then a clear result. The decision is made, cleanly, and we can all move on to the actual work. The quiet after that spin is a productive one.