How Check-Ins and Check-Outs will help you to build stronger teams

People engage in rituals to achieve a broad set of desired outcomes. Rituals support a team to work efficiently and can be a way to change culture and habits and help you establish a framework for being productive. Many workplaces have their rituals. At Walmart stores, workers begin the day with a company cheer. At Yelp, salespeople bang a gong when they close a sale. Research shows these group rituals can help increase a team’s bonds and boost performance.

When I started my journey at Hyper Island, I learned about daily Check-Ins and Check-Outs. Check-in processes are fundamental for the work the team engages in and for setting its purpose. It is a simple way for a team to open a process. Checking-in invites each member to be present, seen, and heard. Checking-in emphasises presence, focus, and group commitment.

The check-out process is fundamental to the work we engaged in. It sets the context for what we did. It is a simple way for a team to close a process. Checking-out invites each member in a group to be present, seen, and heard. Checking-out emphasises reflection and closure.

How does a Check-In / Check-Out work?

When meeting face-to-face, stand in a circle. Choose a check-in question based upon the context of the session.