Employee Check-ins: Conversation Starters

Frequent and routine check-ins allow supervisors and employees to foster teamwork and strengthen healthy working relationships by clarifying expectations, shifting priorities, and well-being. It is recommended that supervisors and employees engage in weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with a combinations of other routine check ins, including an annual summary each year. With well documented weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and/or quarterly check ins, an annual review has practically written itself. 

To begin, please review this list of conversation starters.

Work Habits, Performance, and Expectations

• Which time of day do you feel most productive?
• What changes could be made so you can optimize your day?
• Are you encountering any roadblocks and if so, what are they?
• What has been your greatest accomplishment since we last met?
• What do you hope to accomplish over the coming week, month, quarter, year?
• Do you have everything you need to perform your job?
• What skills do you have that you believe we could use more effectively?
• What are the biggest time wasters for you each week?
• What is the most repetitive part of your job, and do you have any suggestions for streamlining it?
• What other strengths or skills do you have that you feel are not being utilized?

Team collaboration

• Who inspires you in the team? Why?
• Would you like to receive more feedback from other team members?
• Do you feel comfortable giving feedback to others?
• Do you have any suggestions for improvement in the way we work together?
• Does our team have a set of shared goals?
• Are we working at the same pace and speed?
• Are our efforts of similar magnitude in this collaboration?
• How frequently do you interact with team members?
• Who deserves a shout out and why?
• How you seen something recently and thought to yourself “I wish we’d done that?”
• Is there an area outside of your currently role where you feel you could be contributing?
• Is there any part of the company you wish you were able to interact with more?
• What would others on the team be most likely to come to you for help on?
• Where do you think your skills would add the most value?

Levels of Engagement and Well-being

• What keeps you engaged and inspired at work?
• What motivates you to get the job done?
• Do you feel that the team is working well collaboratively?
• Are you comfortable with our team culture, and are there areas that need improvement?
• What are your ideal working conditions to be the most productive?
• Do you feel overworked, underworked, or just right?
• What is the number 1 source of stress for you at work and how might it be lessened?
• What do you enjoy most and least about your job? • What project have you enjoyed working on recently, and why?

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

• How are you progressing on your goals? Do you need any help?
• Are you facing any bottlenecks? What might help remove them?
• How have you determined your longer-term goals?
• Which part of your job do you feel is the most relevant to your long-term goals?
• Do you have any questions related to your work here and your future goals?
• Do you think your personal work goals align with the organizational goals?
• How are you monitoring your progress towards your goals?
• Which skills would you need to refine to help you achieve these goals?

Professional or Career Growth Plans

• Is there another company role your see yourself in?
• What professional growth opportunities would you like to explore?
• Which new responsibilities would you like to take on in the next few months and years?
• What kind of projects would you like to be involved in more?
• Do you have any concerns when it comes to your role or career opportunities?
• How do you like to learn?
• What are some skills you would like to develop?
• What are some experiences you would like to gain?
• What projects have you enjoyed working on recently, and why?
• What are your career goals with the company?
• If you could shadow anyone at the company for a day, who would it be?
• Is there an aspect of your job where you would like more help or coaching?
• Do you believe you will be able to reach your full potential at IC?
• If you could change one aspect of your currently role, what would it be and how would you implement it?
• Manager Relationship Building • How can I better support you in your job?
• Do you find my communication clear and easy to understand, or is there something I can do to improve?
• What would you like to know about me? What would you like me to know about you?
• Do I clearly communicate our company’s vision and mission to you?
• Are our team vision and goals clear to you?
• Do you feel empowered in your role?
• Do you feel supported in your career development?
• Where has management helped or hindered your work?
• What can I do to make your job more enjoyable?
• What, if any, concerns do you have when it comes to giving me feedback? How can I alleviate those concerns?
• How do you prefer to receive feedback and/or recognition for your work?
• What is something I can be doing differently?
• What can we do you improve our working relationship?
• How comfortable are you speaking up about your problems?

Overall Culture

• What has been your biggest challenge? What are some options for overcoming it?
• Where do you feel there is room for you to improve?
• Do you feel you have a solid picture of the company’s future direction? Other
• Is there a company resources you find useful and is there one you wish existed?
• What’s the best thing that happened to you this week, either at work or outside of work?
• What’s on your mind?
• Is there something at work you wish you knew more about?