Open your next team meeting with a quick go-around.
One question. Two minutes. Everyone answers — including you.
Here are a few questions that work well:
- What is one thing on your plate right now that feels harder than it should?
- What is something you are figuring out as you go this week?
- What is one thing you wish the team knew about what you are working on right now?
- On a scale of 1-5, how are you feeling about [______] right now? If it's less than a 5, what is something we can do to bump it up one point?
How to make it work:
- Leader goes first. Every single time. You are modeling the behavior you want to see.
- Keep it light. This is not a therapy session. It is a two-minute human moment.
- Do not skip anyone. Going around the room is the whole point.
- Do not fix what people share. Just listen. The goal is to give people space to voice vulnerability.
What you will notice:
- The meeting starts warmer.
- People are more honest in the conversation that follows.
- Over time the team stops waiting to be asked and starts sharing naturally.
That is trust being built. One small moment at a time.
🛠️ THIS WEEK'S TEAM TOOL:
Pick one question from the list above.
Write it on a post-it.
Stick it somewhere you will see it before your next meeting.
We got this.
Try it. Let me know how it goes.
