Check-in questions are an essential part of team meetings. They allow team members to share their feelings, their work, and any blockers.
This helps build connections, empathy, and transparency within the team.
Background on Check-in Questions
Check-in questions have become standard practice at the start of team meetings. They provide a brief opportunity for each member to share an update before diving into the agenda, helping set the stage for an engaging and productive meeting.
Some key features of check-in questions:
- Short, often one-sentence responses.
- Focus on the individual team members.
- Cover personal and professional updates.
Benefits of Check-in Questions
There are many benefits to incorporating check-in questions:
- Builds trust and relationships between team members.
- Allows members to share challenges and feel heard.
- Keeps the team in tune with what everyone is working on.
- Sets a positive tone to start the meeting.
Steps for Implementing Check-in Questions
Follow these steps to incorporate check-in questions:
- Decide when check-ins will occur on the agenda.
- Select 1-3 check-in questions to use consistently.
- Have the facilitator briefly model giving a check-in response.
- Start and end on time to keep check-ins focused.
Best Practices for Check-in Questions
Keep these tips in mind when crafting and using check-in questions:
- Keep questions positive and uplifting.
- Focus questions on the individual, not the work itself.
- Use open-ended questions that require more than a yes/no response.
- Rotate through a few standard questions rather than changing them every time.
- Set a time limit for check-in responses.
- Have the facilitator model give thoughtful yet concise responses.
- Remind members to stay focused and on-topic during check-ins.
- Gauge interest in follow-up conversations for sensitive topics raised.
- Be understanding if members need to pass on responding for some weeks.
Examples of Check-In Questions
Here are 25 examples of great check-in questions to ask team members:
- What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?
- What’s one thing we don’t know about you?
- What’s something you’re proud of recently?
- If you could learn any skill instantly, what would it be?
- What are you reading/watching/listening to for fun right now?
- What’s one thing that makes you feel happy outside of work?
- What’s your favorite local spot or activity?
- What’s something you appreciate about your work right now?
- What would you want to do if you had a free day this week?
- What’s something new you tried recently?
- What’s something you want to improve or change?
- What energizes you right now?
- What’s inspiring you lately?
- What’s one thing we could do to improve our meetings?
- How do you recharge on the weekends?
- What’s one fun thing on your to-do list?
- What are you looking forward to in the upcoming month?
- What’s your favorite way to treat yourself?
- If you could learn about anything right now, what would it be?
- What’s something our team could celebrate recently?
- Who is someone that inspires you and why?
- What’s something our team does well?
- What’s something you want to accomplish before the year ends?
- What’s something you’re grateful for today?
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
