Meetings often get a bad rep, but don’t chop them off completely! They’re a chance to build better bonds with your team—especially in remote settings. Research shows that teams using check-in questions see a 21% jump in productivity, according to Gallup.

Google’s Project Aristotle also found that psychological safety—where people feel comfortable speaking up—helps teamwork. Check-in questions can also lower stress by up to 13%. For remote teams, this small step can really help make meetings more engaging and meaningful.

So why not start your meeting with a quick question? Here are a few check-in questions that can help get any meeting off on the right foot!

What is a check-in question?

In simple terms, a check-in questions is like a warm-up for your meeting. You ask these questions at the start of a meeting before jumping into the main agenda. It helps break the ice, set the tone, and get everyone in sync.

Different meetings got different needs — sometimes you want to see if everyone is ready to get things done, other times it’s more about checking how everyone’s doing emotionally. No matter the meeting type, starting with a check-in question gets the whole team talking and sets a nice tone for the session.

What makes a check-in question good?

Communication patterns between leaders and their teams can really shape outcomes, like how productive or engaged your staff feel, or even if they’ll stick around long-term. The way you frame a check-in can make all the difference.

Let’s say you’re asking about a report on “widget theory” — it’s all about how you ask:

• Positive framing: “How’s that report on widget theory coming along? Need any help from me?” This approach shows support and a willingness to assist.
• Neutral framing: “Is that report on widget theory done yet?” Straightforward, but lacks warmth or offer of help.
• Negative framing: “I asked for that widget theory report yesterday. Where is it?” This can feel accusatory and may put your employee on the defensive.

All three questions focus on the same report, but the tone changes everything. So if you want to get the best outcome, focus on how you’re phrasing your check-ins. A positive, supportive approach will probably get you better results.

Check-ins vs. Micromanagement

When it comes to checking in with your team, there’s a fine line between being supportive and being too overbearing — or, micromanaging. With some self-awareness, your check-in can be encouraging rather than naggy. Here’s how to keep things in check and avoid micromanagement.

Three key things to measure in a check-in:

1. Cadence (How often you’re checking in)
2. Context (How appropriate the timing of your check-in is)
3. Cause (Why you’re checking in in the first place)

Let’s break it down:

Cadence

If your check-ins are too frequent and nothing has changed, it might feel like micromanaging. But don’t go too long without checking in either! If you only ask your team about their work satisfaction every few years, you’re missing chances to support them along the way.

Context

Timing matters. Asking a check-in question during a stressful deadline can add unnecessary pressure. But, if you ask how you can help with any roadblocks after a team meeting, you’re being supportive in a helpful way.

Cause

If your reason for checking in is to provide help after a big team meeting, you’ll likely get a more open response. But if your check-in doesn’t seem to add value or the team doesn’t feel their feedback leads to positive changes, the impact won’t be as strong.

Before you check in, ask yourself:

• Am I checking in too much or too little?
• Is this check-in relevant to the situation?
• Does this check-in benefit me, them, or both?

The best check-in questions by meeting type

Let’s take a look at some example check-in questions you can start using right after today’s meeting. To make things easier, we’ve grouped them into categories so it’s faster to find the right ones. Some questions may work in multiple scenarios, so feel free to mix and match as needed!

Icebreaker questions for any meeting

Icebreaker questions are really the jack of all trades when it comes to meetings — they can liven up anything from routine project check-ins to creative brainstorming sessions. You can always whip up a few on the spot, but having a go-to list is helpful for those times you need something on the fly.

Here’s a list of icebreaker questions that you can throw into any meeting – just the right mix of fun and thoughtful:

Part 1

• If you could have any superpower, which would be the most useful? Which one is totally useless?
• What’s the latest TV series you binge-watched?
• Got a go-to karaoke song? What is it?
• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
• What song was the last one you listened to, and where were you?

Part 2

• Any favorite podcasts you’re hooked on right now?
• Imagine you’re the team chef for the day – what are you cooking up?
• What emoji best describes how you’re feeling now?
• If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
• If you had access to a time machine, where would your first trip take you?

Part 3

• What’s your favorite TV or movie theme song?
• How do you like to unwind when you’re on holiday?
• What productivity tool or app do you swear by?
• What’s the funniest memory you’ve got from your school days?
• If you could choose any fictional character as your teammate, who would it be and why?

Part 4

• Any fashion trend you just can’t stand or absolutely love?
• Would you rather… (complete this one with your own twist!)
• What’s one thing people always assume about you that isn’t true?
• What’s something you’ve learned recently that blew your mind?
• What’s your comfort food when you need a pick-me-up?

Part 5

• If you could only bring 3 items to a deserted island, what would they be?
• What’s a weird food combo you love but others find strange?
• If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?
• Name a book or movie that changed the way you see things.
• What’s your guilty pleasure when it comes to TV or music?
• If you could swap places with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Read Related Article : 7 effective ways to boost employee motivation

One-on-one meeting questions

The right check-in questions can make a big difference in showing care for your team and building strong relationships. Besides helping you bond, these questions often uncover work-related issues or concerns about work-life balance. Asking the right questions during one-on-one check-ins can boost productivity and well-being.

Here are friendly and engaging check-in questions, perfect for a one-on-one session with your team member:

Part 1

• What’s something new you’ve discovered about yourself recently?
• What’s something you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t yet?
• What’s one thing that makes you feel proud at work?
• What’s been the most exciting part of your job lately?
• What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since our last chat?

Part 2

• How are you working on improving yourself these days?
• Where do you see your role going in the next few months or years?
• How can the company support your growth better?
• Are there any tools or resources you’re missing to help you do your job better?
• If you were in charge of the team for a day, what would you change first?

Part 3

• How would you describe your current mindset?
• When do you feel the most and least productive?
• What are three things you’re feeling really positive or negative about right now?
• How do you feel about the dynamics in the team?
• What’s your take on our company culture and work environment?

Part 4

• If you could improve one thing about our company culture, what would it be?
• Do you feel like you’re getting the support you need?
• Are you happy in your current role?
• How do you feel about your career path at the moment?
• What are your career goals for the near and long term?

Part 5

• What could be improved in your role to make things easier for you?
• What’s one work-related challenge you’d love help solving?
• How do you maintain work-life balance, and what could be done to improve it?
• Are there any recent achievements you’re proud of that we haven’t discussed yet?
• What motivates you most in your current role?
• How do you stay energized and focused on your daily tasks?

Team meeting questions

Team meetings are a great way to strengthen bonds between people who work together regularly and boost morale. Celebrating wins and milestones is definitely helpful, but don’t forget that asking the right check-in questions can also create deeper connections and help improve teamwork.

Here are friendly and relatable team-building questions that’ll get your team talking and thinking:

Part 1

• What’s the biggest issue the team is facing right now?
• Who on the team deserves a shout-out today?
• What’s something we do really well as a team?
• What’s something we could do better?
• What’s one thing you’d love to learn from a teammate?

Part 2

• How can we improve the way we communicate with each other?
• What’s one recent improvement that’s been really effective?
• What’s the biggest bottleneck in your work process?
• What’s your “work superpower”?
• What’s a fun team-building activity you’d love to do?

Part 3

• How can we make our team bonding even better?
• What could we do to be more prepared for unexpected changes?
• How can we show more appreciation for each other?
• What’s one thing that would help you work better together?
• How can we celebrate wins in a way that feels meaningful to everyone?

Part 4

• Who on the team do you think has a unique talent we should tap into more?
• What’s something you’ve learned from a teammate recently?
• How do you feel about the way we handle team challenges?
• What’s one suggestion you have for improving our workflow?
• If you could change one thing about our team dynamics, what would it be?

Part 5

• What’s one way we can make our meetings more productive and engaging?
• What’s your favorite part about being on this team?
• How do you think we can make remote work more fun and effective?
• How do you handle stress, and how can the team support you in that?
• What motivates you the most when working with the team?
• What’s a recent team success that you feel proud to be part of?

Daily stand-up questions

Daily stand-ups are short and snappy, and they keep the team on track with tasks and deliverables. Since they’re all about practicality, check-in questions should be quick but meaningful, keeping everyone focused on the day ahead.

Part 1

• How’s your day so far?
• What’s your top task for today?
• What’s one thing you need help with today?
• Any blockers for your work today?
• What are you excited about tackling today?

Part 2

• How’s your workload looking today?
• How will you plan your break later?
• What do you need from the team today?
• What’s something you’re grateful for today?
• How do you want to feel at the end of today?

Part 3

• What’s your biggest focus today?
• What’s one thing you’re going to crush today?
• How are you planning to manage stress today?
• How can you make today better than yesterday?
• What’s the first thing you’ll check off today?

Part 4

• How are you keeping things light today?
• What challenge do you want to tackle first today?
• What’s one win you’re aiming for today?
• What do you need to finish before lunch?
• What’s something that will make you smile today?

Part 5

• What’s your backup plan if things go sideways today?
• How can you make today’s tasks more fun?
• What’s one thing you want to learn today?
• How will you end the day strong?
• What’s your focus for the next hour?
• What’s one quick win you’re aiming for this morning?

Remote meeting questions

Remote teams face unique challenges, but starting virtual meetings with some fun icebreaker questions can help break the ice and get everyone in the right mood! Here’s a list of 26 questions to keep your Zoom calls lively:

Part 1

• Eh, what’s that behind you in your video? Got an interesting background?
• What’s something super normal where you live, but others might find weird?
• Can you share what’s the view like from your window right now?
• How do you switch off from work when you’re done for the day?
• What’s the best part of WFH for you?

Part 2

• What’s something you miss about being in the office?
• Got any go-to WFH snacks you can’t live without?
• What’s one thing you wish your work setup had but is missing?
• Where are you Zooming from right now?
• Can you describe your home desk setup? Is it #WFHGoals?

Part 3

• What’s a hobby you picked up since WFH started?
• What’s your favourite WFH attire—comfy PJs or formal shirt on top?
• How do you stay motivated while working from home?
• What’s the one app you can’t survive WFH without?
• Got any quirky or funny moments from a Zoom call?

Part 4

• If you could Zoom in from anywhere in the world, where would you be?
• What’s one thing that always makes you laugh during a meeting?
• What’s the most random thing you’ve had to Google for work?
• What’s something you love doing during virtual meetings (like doodling or fidgeting)?
• What’s one WFH gadget you’ve bought that you now swear by?

Part 5

• What’s your favourite way to stay connected with the team remotely?
• If your pet could join a Zoom call, what do you think they’d say?
• What’s one WFH life hack you can share with the team?
• What’s your favourite “WFH playlist” to get into the zone?
• How do you keep your energy levels up during long virtual meetings?
• What’s your best tip to make a Zoom call more fun?

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