Strategic Questions to Ask Your Team: Check-Ins to Elevate Engagement and Ownership

Congratulations on stepping into your first managerial role! It’s a pivotal point in your career journey, and your commitment to fostering a dynamic and engaged team right from the start shows you’re ready for the challenge.

Effective check-ins can be a powerful tool to inspire connection, innovation, problem-solving, and a deeper sense of ownership among your team members. Let’s explore some questions that cut through the noise to elevate engagement and help your team grow as professionals.

The most important question to actually ask here is the one you ask yourself. What is it you’re trying to get to the bottom of? Make sure you put your own spin on how you ask the questions, and evaluate if they are better to ask one-on-one or within the group setting.

‍Here are 20 questions to get you started.

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“What Is Your Take on Our Current Goals?”

Encourage your team members to share their insights on their objectives. Their unique perspectives can spark valuable discussions and uncover hidden opportunities or potential roadblocks.

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“In What Areas Do You See Room for Improvement?”

This question empowers your team to identify areas that might be overlooked and to take ownership of driving positive change. It demonstrates your openness to their suggestions and encourages a culture of continuous improvement.

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“How Can We Innovate in Our Approaches?”

Encourage innovative thinking by challenging your team to brainstorm fresh ideas for tackling existing challenges. This question signals your support for experimentation and creative problem-solving.

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“What Opportunities Do You See for Cross-Collaboration?”

Encourage team members to identify ways to work together to achieve shared goals. Collaboration not only fosters a sense of unity but also leads to diverse perspectives and enhanced outcomes.

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“What Aspects of Your Role Would You Like to Develop Further?”

This question enables team members to express their professional aspirations. By aligning their growth with their interests, you show that you value their personal development.

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“How Can We Apply Lessons from Recent Successes or Challenges?”

By reflecting on past experiences, you’re encouraging your team to learn from both victories and setbacks. This fosters a culture of learning and resilience.

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“What’s Your Vision for Our Team’s Success?”

Inspire your team to envision the future they want to create together. This question stimulates forward-thinking and allows individuals to see their contributions in a broader context.

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“How Would You Handle This Scenario Differently?”

Present a hypothetical scenario related to your team’s work and ask how they would approach it. This exercise encourages critical thinking and empowers them to take ownership of decision-making.

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“What Additional Resources or Support Do You Need?”

Demonstrating your commitment to their success, ask your team about any barriers they face and how you can provide the necessary resources or support.

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“What Do You Envision for Your Role in Our Team’s Legacy?”

Invite team members to consider the lasting impact they want to make within the team. This question ties into the concept of legacy, one of the cornerstones of a sturdy career.

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“How Do You Perceive Our Team’s Impact on the Organization?”

Invite your team to reflect on the broader implications of their work within the larger context of the organization’s goals.

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“What Strategies Can We Implement to Enhance Communication and Collaboration?”

Foster a culture of open communication by seeking suggestions on improving teamwork and information sharing.

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“Are There Opportunities to Streamline Processes and Increase Efficiency?”

Encourage your team to identify areas where processes can be optimized, driving higher productivity and effectiveness.

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“What New Skills or Knowledge Are You Eager to Develop?”

Discuss potential growth areas and skill-building opportunities that align with both individual aspirations and team objectives.

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“How Can We Align Our Team’s Goals with Your Professional Ambitions?”

Explore ways to ensure that the team’s goals are aligned with the individual career paths and ambitions of team members.

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“What Customer Feedback or Insights Have You Gathered Recently?”

Encourage team members to share customer feedback, as this can spark ideas for improvements and innovations.

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“What’s One Lesson You’ve Learned from Recent Experiences?”

Prompt reflection on lessons learned and how those lessons can inform future decision-making and actions.

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“What Innovations from Other Industries Could Inspire Our Work?”

Encourage your team to look beyond their immediate field for fresh perspectives and potential sources of inspiration.

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“How Can We Leverage Technology to Enhance Our Work Processes?”

Discuss ways technology can be harnessed to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and new possibilities.

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“What Steps Can We Take to Develop Our Team’s Unique Identity Further?”

Encourage team members to contribute to the team’s distinctive culture and identity, fostering a sense of belonging and pride.

‍Remember, the essence of these questions lies in facilitating meaningful discussions that empower your team members to think critically, take ownership, and contribute to the team’s success. By incorporating these questions into your interactions, you’ll build a collaborative and engaged team that thrives on continuous improvement and growth.

As you integrate these strategic questions into your check-ins, remember that meaningful conversations require active listening and a genuine interest in your team’s perspectives. By consistently using these questions, you’ll elevate engagement and ownership and create an environment where your team members feel valued, inspired, and empowered to excel. Your dedication to their growth will undoubtedly contribute to your team’s success and your career as a manager.

‍Here’s to being curious and asking great questions!

Koda