Independent Banker - June 2021 - 25

PORTFOLIO LEADERSHIP AT ALL LEVELS
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Time for a check-in
By Lindsay LaNore, ICBA
n January, we looked at the
importance of connecting with your
team-and staying connected. Believe
it or not, we're fast approaching
2021's halfway point, which is the
perfect time to revisit the subject.
Employees thrive when they receive
regular, constructive feedback. In
fact, some experts suggest that having
additional midyear or quarterly
check-ins can be more eff ective than
traditional annual reviews alone.
They're a great way of strengthening
team relationships, reviewing projects
and priorities, and discussing career
development opportunities.
June is the perfect time for checkins
with your team if you haven't
already done them. It's a great month
to look back on what has happened
over the year so far and to celebrate
what they have achieved. It's also a
good time to look forward and make
I
plans and adjustments for the next
six months.
So, what should the check-in look
like? It's a conversation and, like
most conversations, a great way to
start is with a simple, " How are you? "
Perhaps this year more than ever, it's
important to talk about satisfaction
and wellness. With all its unexpected
twists, turns and shifts, the COVID-19
pandemic has taken a toll on
everyone, whether it's physically,
mentally, emotionally or all three. A
sense of exclusion in the workplace
is highly detrimental to employee
performance, and it's easy to see
how physical distancing can create
an artifi cial feeling of separation. So,
start with the basics.
Find out how your team member is
doing and then zero in on the fi rst half
of the year by asking:
 How has the year been so far?
Provide positive feedback and
constructive criticism. Once you've
evaluated where they stand, start
talking about the second half of
the year, and make sure to discuss
opportunities for professional
development. Ask them:
 What are your plans and goals for
the rest of 2021?
 What skills would you like to
develop in the remainder of
the year?
 What resources would be helpful
to you right now?
 How can I help support you to
ensure success?
The answers gleaned during these
check-ins can help establish goals for
the remainder of the year and provide
for adjustments to current plans.
Questions are one of a supervisor's
most powerful tools. Asking the
right questions and listening to
learn should be priorities for every
supervisor. And most importantly,
asking those questions with sincerity
and taking the time to listen not
only builds understanding but also
enriches employee trust-making it
well worth the eff ort. 
 What are some of your recent work
highlights?
 What have you learned?
 Where are you in terms of the
goals we established at the start of
the year?
 What are the biggest challenges
you've encountered?
 Are there any obstacles hampering
your performance?
Lindsay LaNore (lindsay.lanore@
icba.org) is group executive vice
president and chief learning and
experience off icer
independentbanker.org Q 25
http://www.independentbanker.org
Independent Banker - June 2021

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