Checking In: Start Meetings by Listening More

I often work in groups that begin each meeting by "checking in," i.e. having each member talk briefly about how they're feeling, or what they're thinking about, or what they hope to accomplish that day.

I find value in this process, but up until now I've looked at it primarily from perspective of the speaker.  From this point of view, the purpose of checking in is that each member of the group gets a chance to speak their piece, and the total of what's said sets a tone for the meeting that reflects everyone's state of mind.

I've recently come to feel that this process is equally (if not more) important from the perspective of the listeners.  From this point of view, the purpose of checking in isn't so much that it gives everyone a chance to speak, but that it also compels everyone to listen carefully to everyone else, right at the outset.  This gets the group in a listening mode and sets a tone for the meeting that makes subsequent discussions more productive and less stressful.

Comments

[peter vajda]

some great points, Ed, thank you...and perhaps one additional...that checking in allows for "common ground" so that someone who may be feeling vulnerable, or "off", or unattached to the group in some way might feel seen, validated and supported (emotionally) when someone else discloses a similar feeling or concern..draws folks closer so the energy is more congruent and supportive of a group/team process.

[Ed Batista]

Thanks, Peter. Great point, and very aligned with the reasons I've traditionally valued checking in at the start of meetings.

What I like about viewing check-ins from the perspective of listeners is that it actually increases the value of the process for each speaker as well. When everyone is encouraged to put more energy into their listening, every speaker feels more heard and gets more out of the experience.

Ed

[Charles H. Green]

Great point, Ed. I too value that practice, but had always seen it primarily in a one-sided manner. You are quite right to bring to consciousness that it benefits all. Figures, too. Any good practice that helps one in a group probably helps all. If it were purely one-sided, it wouldn't be worth much anyway, I suppose.
And, it's a great reminder of the continual power of listening.
thanks,.