These practices create space for team member connection and cohesion, build trust, and strengthen alignment around ideas and purpose. Connection and communication are essential for team cohesion, especially when working across various locations, schedules, and responsibilities.
Integrating check-ins/outs into existing team meetings, huddles or gatherings helps:
- Foster a sense of belonging.
- Cultivate a culture of contribution and connection.
- Gauge team climate and well-being.
- Promote self-care and mutual support.
- Build trust and create space for listening, validating, and supporting one another.
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Preparing for This Activity
- Anticipated Duration: 5–10 minutes
- Preparation Level: Low
- Suitable for: In person and remote meetings
- Materials: None
Check-ins and check-outs are simple and brief — yet powerful — practices for fostering connection and presence in team gatherings.
- Start with a Check-in: Invite team members to be present, reflect, and respond to a prompt. This sets the tone for openness, connection, and participation.
- Close with a Check-out: Encourage reflection and collective closure by inviting team members to share a take-away, share something they want to remember, or respond to an alternative prompt before everyone departs.
Roadmap
They can be used at the start or end of meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), in Teams chats, or during 1:1s. Every team is different; adapt the practice to what works best for yours.
Here’s a simple flow to guide your check-in:
- Invite the team
“Let’s begin/end with a team check-in. This is always an invitation, never an expectation.” - Share the prompt
“Today’s prompt is…”
Choose from the list below or co-create prompts in a shared document. - Pause for reflection
“Take a minute to reflect before we share.” - Model sharing
“I’ll start us off.” You’re welcome to share or pass.” - Time management
“We have XX minutes for this check-in and connection time. To ensure we have time for our full agenda, let’s keep our responses brief with an open invitation to connect and learn more as we wish after the meeting.”
Tip: The two biggest barriers to check-ins are time and having a prompt. If you can make time, we’ve got you covered with prompt ideas below.
Prompt Library
Choose a prompt based on what you want to invite the team to reflect on. Feel free to create your own and add to your team’s library.
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Pulse & Well-Being
- How are you arriving today?
- How are you leaving?
- Two-word check-in/check-out
- Energy level (1–5): What could help restore it?
- What’s your weather report today?
- What’s your current tornado watch?
- Share an emoji, GIF, meme, or reaction that reflects how you’re arriving.
- Write down worries or feelings, then fold or tear to let go and be present.
- What song best describes how you’re arriving?
- What’s one word that describes your current mindset?
- What’s something you’re doing to take care of yourself this week?
- What’s one thing you need more of right now?
- What’s something you’re letting go of today?
- What color best represents how you’re arriving/departing?
- What’s one small win you’ve had recently?
Work & Capacity
- What are you most looking forward to this week?
- What brings you joy in your work?
- If your work capacity was a cup, how full is it and why?
- What work gives you energy? What drains it?
- If you could eliminate one daily task, what would it be and why?
- Where are you making meaningful impact?
- What’s something you’ve learned recently in your role?
- What’s one thing that would make your workday easier?
- What’s a recent challenge you’ve overcome?
- What’s a tool or resource that’s been helpful to you lately?
Appreciation & Recognition
- If you could give one shout out of appreciation about our team, what would it be?
- What team value do we demonstrate regularly?
- What’s good today?
- What’s one self-care practice that’s helped you?
- Who is a campus partner that supports our work, and how?
- What’s something you’ve noticed and appreciated in a colleague recently?
- What’s a moment of kindness you’ve experienced at work?
- What’s a value you admire in someone on the team?
- What’s something you’re grateful for in your work environment?
- What’s a recent moment that made you feel proud of the team?
Social & Fun
- Explore “Two Kinds of People” images—left or right? Why?
- What’s your go-to karaoke song (singing optional)?
- Dream all-expense-paid trip — where would you go?
- What’s your favorite season?
- What’s the story of your name?
- What’s your favorite comfort food?
- What’s a hobby or activity you’ve picked up recently?
- What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
- If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
- What’s your favorite way to unwind after work?
- Who is a fictional character you relate to and why?
- If you could have a coffee chat with anyone — living or not — who would it be?
Aspirations & Inspirations
- What’s something you did for the first time recently?
- Who was a teacher that positively impacted you and how?
- What’s one thing that went well recently? What made it go well?
- If you had a free day to do anything, what would you do?
- What is a favorite quote?
- What’s a quote or mantra you’re living by right now?
- Who or what inspires you?
- What’s a goal you’re working toward this year?
- What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn?
- What’s a book, podcast, or movie that inspired you recently?
- What’s a personal value that guides your decisions?
- What’s a dream project you’d love to work on?
Instructions
- Keep it brief. 5–10 minutes is plenty.
- Rotate who leads. Invite different team members to choose the prompt and lead.
- Always an invitation, never an expectation. Participation is optional.
- Passing is okay. Anyone can choose not to share.
- Model first. The individual leading the check-in can go first to demonstrate.
- Consider your setting and/or location.
- In-person: Arrange chairs or tables in a circle so everyone can see each other.
- Virtual: Encourage cameras on, at least during the check-in.
- Hybrid: Create a horseshoe shape with chairs/tables, placing the screen as a “virtual chair.” Invite remote participants to turn cameras on during the check-in.
Close with gratitude. Thank everyone for showing up and sharing.
Closing Thoughts
Have fun, keep it light, and make space for authentic connection. Give people permission to share as they’re comfortable — and get to know each other as people.
“How you enter a space and how you leave a space is as important as what happens in the space.” ― Emily M. Axelrod