Improving Check-Ins (#12)

As many of us have transitioned to working remotely, the daily or weekly check-ins have become part of our routine. Although most people won’t admit it, one of the most important parts of work, whether live or virtual, is the social aspect of it. Some of your team may be craving the social interaction they used to have when they came into the office. So, this week, use the first 10 minutes of your check-in to help create better social connections within your team, as well as a stronger team.

Here are ten questions that you could use to kick off your check-in or meeting:

• How did you maintain your optimism this week? How did you help your team remain optimistic?

• What was one good thing that happened yesterday?

• What is one new thing you have learned since the coronavirus crisis happened?

• What is one thing that surprised you since the coronavirus crisis happened?

• What is the best or worst meal that you or your significant other cooked?

• What is one thing a peer or co-worker has done for you since the crisis started that you really appreciated?

• What is the best or worst thing you've watched on Netflix/Disney/Amazon Prime in the last week?

• How did you get outside yesterday?

• What is the best bit of advice a mentor or a parent gave you?

• How many rolls of toilet paper do you have at your house? (You might need to prepare your team for this one.)

If you are pressed for time in your check-in, you can always preface the question with “in one sentence…”

Better check-ins help build a stronger team. And we need strong teams in the crisis.