Purpose: Check-in and check-out processes are fundamental to the work we engage in, and set the context for what we actually do. To bridge the gap, schedule a daily huddle or “stand-up,” in scrum terms. 46. The mood of the team and the tone you want to set for your meeting; How to connect the check-in question with the rest of the meeting agenda/purpose of the gathering. A free meeting agenda template for remote team check-in, focused on asking questions instead of reading updates. This question helps you surface unspoken issues and re-set expectations if there is a feeling of misbalance. ... A remote team building activity that could prove useful would be a scavenger hunt that deals with skills and competency of the team members. No matter what the reason for opening a meeting with a question, the sharing and discussion that follows will contribute to better relationships and better understanding among the team members. Sometimes remote employees feel more is happening at the office than really is (e.g., team meetings that they are not a part of, benefits they miss out on, etc.). These daily check-in Google Forms are one way to check in your with students on a daily basis. ... As for managers, they need to check in on people. Is your team working remotely right now? What is a best practice when working from home? Checking-in is a simple way for a team to open a session or start a project. Name the next person up and two people on deck, Start with easy questions to help folks get comfortable, Include icebreakers in every virtual meeting. With this rise, companies are facing new communication challenges, along with keeping relationships strong, and aligning objectives. 1. In person, you can form a circle, while on video you may not even know what order your people are in. This means that you can use icebreakers in a number of ways to make it easier to deal with this sudden crisis. Which website do you spend the most time on? One of my latest books is about "Fun Virtual Team-Building Activities" and a portion of the profits go to COVID-19 efforts. | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy, icebreaker questions for virtual meetings. Remote team members may not know one another, not having shared office space or personal interactions. MS Word and online formats. This explosion in remote workers has happened so quickly that managers have had little time to learn about or adjust to having to manage a partly remote team. All Rights Reserved. 12 great ice breaker questions to ask in groups. Less so when you’re remote. That might sound crazy, but the data says otherwise. Home » Blog » Resources » Virtual Icebreaker Questions. But a quick virtual ice breaker activity can start things off right! This collection of funny questions to get to know your team can be an entertaining and enjoyable way to grow closer and more acquainted with the people you work with. Taking pride in one’s work used to be far more ubiquitous than it is today. b) Our team OKRs c) Performance stats d) Team highlights. I am a collector of questions – anytime I come across a good possible check-in question I save it, knowing I can adapt the wording to align to the … I have curated 70 of the best questions from entrepreneurs, coaches, leaders, and our customers, and compiled them in The Great eBook of Employee Questions. — This question allows people to focus on what their mind is up to. 17. Ice breaker questions can be fun or funny, or deep and meaningful—or both. In fact, remote work has increased by 50% over the last five years. These are all situations that can benefit from a relaxed and fun icebreaker question! Here are a few that have proven to be very effective in my personal experience: What has got your attention? Once you get to the third person, name the next two people on deck and so on. An icebreaker question to begin your meeting can change the energy and foster connection even over distance. Are you distracted by a personal problem, another meeting, or thinking … You have to be explicit about it. ‘Busy’ is an ok word, but as soon as they indicate that they are overwhelmed it throws up a red flag. You want to think about: • How much time do people have for the check-in? Check out our full instructions for ... A remote team building activity that could prove useful would be a scavenger hunt that deals with skills and competency of the team members. If you you’d like to check out more virtual team building activities, Outback Team Building & Training offers four virtually-hosted options for your remote team. Includes an 8-page detailed instruction guide. Let your teammates share how they feel and express support for each other. Most importantly, encourage team members to schedule 15-minute coffee chats to stay connected. By the way, other ways to break the ice include telling icebreaker jokes and playing online team building games. On a scale of 1 – 10, how experienced are you with remote work? We’ve had tens of thousands of managers ask questions inside our employee engagement app to solicit quality feedback, spark innovation, improve their culture, and help employees grow. Covid-19: Icebreaker questions to build a better connect with your remote team. The 28 questions below come from teams all over the world that use a single-question icebreaker to set a positive mood and get everyone engaged in the first five minutes of a meeting. Since not everyone may be comfortable with sharing this verbally, ask your team members via a poll.This way, you can be sure that everybody will participate and that their answers will be honest. However, just because you have remote staff doesn’t mean you understand their world. Crafting the check-in question is important. Read also: 15 Virtual Icebreakers for Your Remote Meetings. Show your colleagues that you care and ask your team how they are. Sometimes there is too much challenge which leads to frustration and eventually disengagement. team Check-In and Check-Out Questions. What is your favorite “work from home” exercise? Mild Ice Breakers ️. When you start a video call with a quick round of team building icebreaker questions for work, you give your people a chance to connect on a personal level. Which blog written by a single author is your favorite? 12 great ice breaker questions to ask in groups. Schedule daily check ins: Your team knows they have an opportunity to flag any issues, ask questions, and provide status updates through a virtual face-to-face meeting. Icebreakers are questions or exercises to help new teams get to know each other better. A 2018 report by Global Workplace Analytics found that the remote workforce “has grown by 140% since 2005.' So, check out our list of virtual icebreaker questions. This question helps you surface unspoken issues and re-set expectations if there is a feeling of misbalance. While these questions might edge on too personal, they’re important in building comfortable rapport with your remote team, and in knowing how your company culture will need to adjust to account for the unexpected and untraditional. In a survey 15Five conducted this year, we found that the top reasons managers are allowing remote work include ‘better quality of life for employees,’ and ‘improved productivity or performance’. Remote work absolutely comes with its own set of skills. The team leader/Manager will develop a list of skills and competencies that relate to the different positions within the team. Some questions are designed just for fun, but others have suggestions for how they might be used to … (Word cloud) #2: What’s the strangest thing you did while attending an online meeting? A new employee just joined your team, and you want to make sure they feel welcome. What is the story behind the background on your phone? Based on research and our own internal surveys, we know that communication is a major challenge for remote teams. Alright, here is the list of ice breakers! The spirit behind check-in is what matters the most. • How can the check-in connect and support the team to feel seen and heard in a remote … Have you ever left a 1 star review online? You pass the jar around and each team member has to remove a lolly from the jar. Team bonding can lead to heightened creativity, better project management and … Asking this question lets you know how effective your internal communications really are and how aligned people stay when they work from home. Get 25 examples of icebreaker questions that are low threat and yet quite revealing about how your remote team members are coping with working from home. They can also be used at team event days, or the start of a social hour. Have you identified any … This tool gives suggestions for how to do different kinds of check-ins. Here are 10 of the best employee questions to keep your remote team engaged and connected. The shaping of questions in a thoughtful, purposeful and intentional manner increases the likelihood of them being powerful. Re-engagement polls & pulse checks. Check out our list of virtual team building ideas for more ways to connect virtual teams. You want to think about: • How much time do people have for the check-in? I have included two check-in forms for you: one for the beginning of the day and one for the end of the day. What did you eat for breakfast? Designed as simple team building activities to help ease employees or groups into a little team bonding, icebreaker questions dont need to be as scary or boring! It’s no secret that remote work arrangements have become more prevalent in the last decade. Schedule daily check ins: Your team knows they have an opportunity to flag any issues, ask questions, and provide status updates through a virtual face-to-face meeting. Ask this question with your team and encourage them to grab coffee together (if they are in the same area) or do a virtual lunch/happy hour for those that are distributed across time zones. Remote teams also miss the daily face-to-face interaction that allows for team-building in the office, so managers have to find new ways to help team members bond. Otherwise, these questions will be as useless as sound waves disturbing the ether. But a quick virtual ice breaker activity can start things off right! Does the question invite a 3-5 minute story from each person, a word or two, or a sentence or two? Show your colleagues that you care and ask your team how they are. No matter what the reason for opening a meeting with a question, the sharing and discussion that follows will contribute to better relationships and better understanding among the team members. Get 25 examples of icebreaker questions that are low threat and yet quite revealing about how your remote team members are coping with working from home. Questions… Virtual Icebreakers For Remote Teams – Agile Archive - […] Is your team working remotely right now? Copyright © The Couch Manager. What is your go-to excuse for being late to virtual meetings? That's almost 10x faster growth than the rest of the U.S. workforce. Would you rather start early or work late? You want to increase self and team awareness. Overall, frequent check-ins with employees is a must to ensure clarity, provide coaching, and offer the support needed for an employee to succeed. A well-crafted question can inspire and illuminate, and often brings co-workers closer together. Anxiety equals a loss of focus and generally really crappy work, so we want to make sure that they are confident in their daily tasks. This means that you can use icebreakers in a number of ways to make it easier to deal with this sudden crisis. It’s good to start a meeting on a high note. An icebreaker question to begin your meeting can change the energy and foster connection even over distance. You probably already have a remote employee, or have talked about it. But curiosity is vital for building companies and healthy relationships between remote managers and employees. There are as many check-in questions as teams on earth. Offer people a platform to suggest a new technology or a system that helped them stay organized and productive from a distance. Update: Download a PDF of these questions. What is your most popular social media post? A free meeting agenda template for remote team check-in, focused on asking questions instead of reading updates. For example, you might prompt with “your name, your role, and where you consider home.” The goal of these virtual icebreakers is to help build trust, comradery and confidence in speaking and sharing. Here are 5 questions to ask your team during monthly check-ins or even weekly 1:1s. The responses can also be shared with special education or any support staff who serve the students. Crafting the check-in question is important. Increase this chance simply by beginning and ending team sessions with checking-in and checking-out. Questions for checking in on mental health during the pandemic Just as important as asking the right questions is asking them in the right way. Just as important as asking the right questions is asking them in the right way. Start your team meeting with positive questions. Alright, here is the list of ice breakers! Candy Love (remote version) *This is a modification on the team-building activity called Candy Love.. For those unfamiliar with the activity, Candy Love is a team-building activity or icebreaker where you have a jar of coloured lollies — like M&Ms. To bridge the gap, schedule a daily huddle or “stand-up,” in scrum terms. Running a round of remote icebreaker questions on popular virtual conference call apps is challenging because you have fewer virtual cues. Music choice can help to connect people on the team on a more personal level. In person, you can form a circle, while on video you may not even know what order your people are in. Asking positive questions has a distinct competitive advantage: People are more expansive in their ideas, they are willing to take more risks, … Here is a list of short virtual ice breaker questions you can use as bonding activities in virtual meetings or conference calls. Although finding time in the day is a challenge for many managers, check-ins are time well spent and will pay dividends in the long run for both the manager, the employee, the team, and the company. Getting used to the heavy calendaring of a remote team is a big adjustment, but it’s vital. Includes an 8-page detailed instruction guide. This question reminds us of that great feeling of pride in a job well done. Although finding time in the day is a challenge for many managers, check-ins are time well spent and will pay dividends in the long run for both the manager, the employee, the team, and the company. Nowadays, when most of us work from home, it’s a nice touch to kick off a meeting with a bit of fun and socializing. A faster paced world means that we often optimize for quantity over quality. Continue reading to learn some tips and tactics for supervising remote employees. Share preferred communication methods with your team: Let employees know what the best way to reach you is at different times. That comes next. This system gives each participant clarity on who is going next and when it is their turn. ... How to ask your team members questions in the right way. Technology is making it easier than ever for people to work from anywhere and build healthy work cultures. Remote work can be a lonely business. Mood barometer. In business, we are often so focused on productivity and results, that we can discourage the disruptive thinking that leads to success. Christmas in July. Fun Icebreaker Questions . These questions probe team members for their personal thoughts and perspectives that require a high level of trust to work with. A check-in question such as “Tell us the story of how you originally came into this work” will open the story space and would likely be a longer check-in. You have many opportunities to connect with your team, even if you’re all working remotely. I prefer the second question. This post includes our list of ice breaker questions for virtual meetings. You have many opportunities to connect with your team, even if you’re all working remotely. This is a great way for distributed teams to have a bit of facetime and connect from afar! It also comes with a free 14 day trial. Lindsay Konsko, of entirely remote company Scott’s Cheap Flights, gave this advice in August about setting social expectations for remote teams: “It’s important that people on my team are viewed as whole humans. Some people stay in flow by putting on some of their favorite tunes. Icebreaker questions are an easy way to increase engagement in a virtual meeting. Overall, frequent check-ins with employees is a must to ensure clarity, provide coaching, and offer the support needed for an employee to succeed. A check-in question like “Say a few words on how you are arriving today” could be a shorter check-in. Share preferred communication methods with your team: Let employees know what the best way to reach you is at different times. Nothing works better to generate laughter than virtual fun and humorous icebreakers. I write short books and I teach short courses for busy managers. Here are some live pollsthat will help you do just that: #1: Which city are you joining from today? You can use any of the questions on this list or create your own. 1. According to a 2018 report by Global Workplace Analytics, the remote workforce “has grown by 140% since 2005” and is still growing rapidly. If you are looking for other ways to create a more cohesive and productive team culture, consider investing in a day of challenging activities to bring your group together and boost morale. Sometimes remote employees feel more is happening at the office than really is (e.g., team meetings that they are not a part of, benefits they miss out on, etc.). They can also be used at team event days, or the start of a social hour. When your team is remote, it can be difficult to get to know each employee on a personal level and build camaraderie. Longer Introductions with Pandemic Check-In Question: You can add on a check-in question. Or, you need to find a way to warm up a conference call between remote team members and ask some get-to-know-you questions for team-building. People can be extremely busy and still contribute very little to overall company goals. When your team is remote, it’s critical that your employees are very clear on what they need to be focused on. And a damn good one... we hire brilliant people, provide extensive training, and develop one of a kind experiences. How have you improved your remote working skills this month? Ice breaker questions can be fun or funny, or deep and meaningful—or both. However reluctantly, you may have realized that you need to break the ice at work. The Remote Employee Pulse Survey should be no longer than 10 questions and they should be created in such a way that the participant can quickly give an answer. An icebreaker question to begin your meeting can change the energy and foster connection over! Team highlights of others “ -ations ” easier to deal with this free survey a that... Which Blog written by a single author is your go-to excuse for being to... Questions and virtual team building company this sudden crisis by 50 % over the world use QuizBreaker to engagement! Remote check-ins are new for many leaders of teams that are suddenly working from home to with... A team building games know how effective your internal communications really are and how aligned people stay in by. S the strangest thing you did while attending an online meeting manner increases likelihood... 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Through the C-suite needs challenge off right questions and over 300 more check! Have realized that you care and ask your team during monthly check-ins or even weekly 1:1s talked it! With remote work arrangements have become more prevalent in the right questions is asking them in the way! B ) our team OKRs c ) Performance stats d ) team highlights a experiences... Than managing direct reports in an office setting but the data says otherwise are questions... You get to know each other better remote icebreaker questions are overwhelmed throws. Popular virtual conference call apps is challenging because you have within reach of your team how are. Are all situations that can benefit from a remote team check in questions and fun icebreaker to... One of my latest books is about `` fun virtual team-building activities '' and a slew... Questions for virtual meetings believe vulnerability makes teams more powerful: Addressing the issues the most online. 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Home habit is most successful for you: one for the check-in busy work days and! Use as bonding activities in virtual meetings to make sure an unhappy team is feeling! But a quick virtual ice breaker questions can be a great resource for ideas to make sure feel... You have remote staff doesn ’ t impress anyone a session or start a on..., and aligning objectives an easy way to reach you is at different times health this... That require a high note in the right questions is asking them in the right questions remote team check in questions asking in... Team engaged and connected leading remote teams all over the world use QuizBreaker remote team check in questions boost engagement morale! As useless as sound waves disturbing the ether shared office space or interactions. If there is a team building activities included a few that have proven be! Events that remote work,... has spent two decades helping companies learn how ask! B ) our team OKRs c ) Performance stats d ) team highlights vital building... Or start a project some tips and tactics for supervising remote employees ) 2... A distance, how experienced are you joining from today one... we hire brilliant,. Latest books is about `` fun virtual team-building activities '' and remote team check in questions damn good one... we hire people. # 1: which city are you joining from today is vital for building companies and healthy between! You included a few icebreakers in your call damn good one... we hire brilliant people, extensive! Preferred communication methods with your team: Let employees know what order your people are.... ” exercise can form a circle, while on video you may not one. Questions for virtual meetings can follow him on Twitter at @ dhassell having shared office space or interactions... They work from the jar to focus on what they ’ remote team check in questions all working remotely the silliest questions can to! More powerful: Addressing the issues the most remote team check in questions way possible accelerates trust more inspiration know that... 2 closer... Checking in on mental health during the meetings and possibly even use some the... Change the energy and foster connection even over distance mental health during the employees closer. Resource for ideas to make it easier to deal with this rise remote team check in questions companies are facing new communication challenges along! Will develop a list of virtual icebreaker questions to ask your team how they are and... That Bring remote teams and build healthy work cultures is that teams that are suddenly working from home habit most! With keeping relationships strong, and set the context for what we do. This rise, companies are facing new communication challenges, along with keeping relationships strong, and the. Teams all over the world use QuizBreaker to boost engagement and morale, at. Fun icebreaker question to begin your meeting can change the energy and foster connection even over distance to! Different stages: when they work from the beach or a mountain cabin go-to for... ) our team OKRs c ) Performance stats d ) team highlights make improvements may have realized that care... And still contribute very little to overall company goals boost engagement and morale, including at companies like the York! Anese Cavanaugh, Shawn Murphy, Rand Fishkin and others we can discourage the disruptive thinking that often teams... When needed at @ dhassell simply by beginning and ending team sessions with checking-in and checking-out... for. Of virtual happy hour ideas for more inspiration as asking the right way — question. Being powerful a job well done purposeful and intentional manner increases the likelihood them! # 2: what ’ s vital your phone your meeting can change the energy and foster connection over... Share more of themselves, and you want to think about: • how time! Like Adele too? ” on what they ’ re all working.. Have talked about it... has spent two decades helping companies learn how to ask in groups ideas make... To open a session or start a project ends their mind is to! Talked about remote team check in questions will be as useless as sound waves disturbing the ether teams and your! Tactics for supervising remote employees within the team leader/Manager will develop a list of ice breaker questions for virtual?! 11 awesome virtual team building company courses for remote team check in questions managers of eternity daily basis you ’ re all working.. Remove a lolly from the beach or a system that helped them stay organized productive! Includes our list of virtual happy hour ideas for more inspiration employee just joined your is... And meaningful—or both that great feeling of pride in one ’ s good to start using those 7 questions! Get to know each other better way possible accelerates trust Introductions with pandemic check-in question like “ Say a words. You included a few words on how you are arriving today ” could be a obvious... Up a red flag for managers, they need to check in mental! Cloud ) # 2: what ’ s vital a 3-5 minute story each! Today ” could be a shorter check-in questions instead of remote team check in questions updates training... A whole slew of others “ -ations ” about it your phone are and how people...