🎒 Microlesson

🪞 Reflect

How often do you check in with your direct reports? Do your one-on-one meetings feel productive, or do they sometimes feel like a time drain?

💡 Concept

Regular check-ins keep your team aligned, supported, and engaged. But finding the right balance is key—too few check-ins can lead to mistakes and delays, while too many can interrupt deep work and drain productivity. Striking the right mix of synchronous and asynchronous check-ins will help you provide support while workers maintain autonomy.

Here’s how to balance check-ins effectively:

💬 Use synchronous check-ins for deeper conversations.
One-on-one meetings are best for discussing challenges, career growth, and complex issues that require real-time discussion and emotional intelligence.

💻 Leverage asynchronous check-ins for routine updates.
When possible, ask for written status updates, recorded video messages, or voice notes so you can track progress without holding unnecessary meetings. This gives everyone more time for focused work.

🗓️ Set a clear cadence.
Rather than scheduling one-on-ones reactively, establish a predictable rhythm—whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly—so team members know when to expect live discussions.

✈️ Encourage autonomy while staying available.
Regular check-ins shouldn’t lead to micromanagement. Use them as a touchpoint for alignment, but also empower employees to solve problems independently. Be sure employees know you are available and approachable if problems or questions arise.

⭐ Make meetings count.
When you do meet synchronously, focus on meaningful topics. Avoid status updates that could be handled asynchronously, and prioritize problem-solving, feedback, and career development.

By being intentional about check-ins, you’ll provide the right level of support while giving your team the space they need to do their best work.

🎬 Take Action

• Audit your current check-in schedule—are meetings too frequent or not frequent enough?

• Identify which real-time exchanges could be shifted to async updates to reduce unnecessary meetings.

• Set clear expectations for when and how check-ins happen, ensuring they add value rather than disrupt productivity.

• Use structured agendas for synchronous meetings to keep discussions focused.

• Regularly ask your team for feedback on the balance of meetings and async check-ins, and refine your approach as needed.

🧠 Keep Learning

Learn more about adopting async practices in your team with Async at Work. 

✅ Check In

🎁Learn with your team!

Refer our weekly microlessons to your team members to learn as a group! Just follow the instructions in the section below to get started.