Check-ins are one of the most underrated leadership practices.
They don’t get as much attention as daily stand-ups or team meetings, but they serve a different purpose. While structured meetings focus on teams, check-ins focus on individual leadership—often overlooked outside of one-off chats or occasional reviews.
Check-ins are private, flexible, and asynchronous, giving leaders a consistent way to stay informed and take action when it matters most.
A check-in is a simple weekly questionnaire completed by team members. It takes just 5–15 minutes at the end of the week. A typical check-in includes:
The biggest benefit of check-ins is the actionable insights they provide for 1:1 leadership.
They improve alignment, increase visibility, and catch roadblocks before they escalate.
Check-ins also strengthen team culture. Making some responses public can automate stand-ups, giving teams more transparency. One of the most popular features is the "kudos" section—a place to highlight teammates who made a difference that week. These shout-outs boost morale and appreciation across the team.
You don’t need a dedicated tool, but platforms like 15Five make check-ins seamless. They automate reminders, organize responses, and provide dashboards for tracking progress.
If you prefer a lightweight setup, custom Slack bots or shared Google Forms work just as well. The best tool is the one your team already uses.
Whenever I lead a team, I set up a check-in system. It’s an easy and effective way to improve alignment and engagement.
If you’d like to set one up for your team, let me know—I’d be happy to help!