Introduce "emotion check-ins" at the start of meetings.

Hey there, emotionally intelligent leaders! Today, we're exploring a simple yet powerful practice to boost emotional awareness and connection in your team: emotion check-ins. We often dive straight into agenda items in meetings, ignoring the emotional state of participants. But emotions significantly impact our work, whether we acknowledge them or not. So, let's bring them into the open. Here's how to implement emotion check-ins: At the start of each meeting, go around and have each person share how they're feeling in one or two words. It could be 'excited and focused,' 'stressed but determined,' or even 'distracted and worried.' The key is to be honest and concise. As the leader, go first to set the tone. Respond with empathy, but don't try to fix or change anyone's emotions. Just acknowledge them. If someone shares a challenging emotion, you might say something like, 'Thank you for sharing that. Is there anything we can do to support you today?' Your challenge for this week: Introduce emotion check-ins at the start of your team meetings. Explain the concept and its benefits to your team. Lead by example by openly and honestly sharing your own emotional state. Remember, the goal isn't to have everyone feeling positive all the time. It's to create awareness, build empathy, and ensure everyone feels seen and heard. Over time, you'll likely notice improved emotional intelligence, stronger team bonds, and more productive meetings. People will feel more comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. So, let's check in and tune in to our emotions!