Purpose: Get better at asking team members the right questionsThink about your intention when you talk to your team members. Sometimes a question is not just about the answer, it's also about how you can make your employee feel about asking it.

For example, "how are you doing at home?" will send a message that you care about their well-being beyond the workplace, and "Do you have any ideas?" will make an employee feel that you appreciate their opinion and value their contributions. Show that you understand how they feel, don't overdo it. 

Active Listening is essential here. 

Here are some questions you can ask based on your focus.

Motivation
Performance
Satisfaction
Stress

Addressing Motivation

How have you been doing? 

What would you say you are passionate about, professionally and personally?

What makes you excited or motivated to work on a project?

Is there an aspect of our team culture you find specifically motivating? How about demotivating?

Are you proud of the work we do here? 

How are you feeling about your goals?

What could be changed about your work that would improve your personal life?

What's something someone in your team has done that has motivated or supported you?

What is your least favorite day-to-day task? How about your favorite?

Do you feel motivated/supported by your leaders? 

Is there something a past leader has done that inspired or motivated you?

Is there a particular aspect that you feel is demotivating about your work?

If you were the CEO what's the first thing you would change?

What can I do better to keep you and the team motivated?

Do you feel supported?

Addressing Performance 

What is one thing I can do right now to make work better for you?

What would make your day-to-day easier? 

Do you feel that there is a tool or skill that could help you in your work?

What could I do to make you feel more supported in achieving your goals?

How do you feel about your daily workload? Do you feel that you can overcome it or do you feel that you are playing catch-up?

Do you feel you know what your teammates are working on?

Is there something I could change to help the team with their work/goals?

Am I giving you enough feedback on your work?

If I could improve one skill until our next meeting, which skill would it be?

How can we improve the way our team works together?

Who is doing a great job on the team? What have they done?

Addressing Satisfaction

Do you feel that your contributions are valued?

What could I change today to increase your satisfaction?

How transparent do you feel the management is?

Do you feel that work is distributed evenly across your team?

Do you see meaning in the work you do?

Do you feel that you have enough opportunities for growth and development?

Do you have a good relationship with your team?

What could we change for the better in our work environment?

Do you feel that work utilizes your skills to their full potential?

Is there anything I can change to help with communication or goals?

Are you happy in your role? What could make it better for you?

Do you feel that the leadership is open to new ideas?

What would make you quit your job today?

Addressing Stress

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your stress?

Can you tell me which factors are the most stressful right now?

What can I do now that would help your stress level?

What are your energy levels like after a day at work?

Do you feel that you can talk to me or your team when you are feeling stressed?

Do you feel comfortable taking time off when you need to? Is there anything I can do to help with that?

Do you feel the communication in your team is respectful and has a good tone?

What do you think would help the team deal with stressful periods?

When you are off the clock, do you stress about work?

Is there anything in our team culture that you feel is particularly stressful?