Are you checking-in or checking-on?
Checking-on is process focused:
How’s the project coming along?
Will we hit the deadline?
Has the order been placed?
Are the chores complete?
Did you finish your homework?
Checking-in is people focused:
How are you doing today?
How are you feeling?
Tell me how things are going.
What do you need right now?
What if I just listen?
Both are important. Both serve a purpose.
However, if you’re not intentional, checking-on more than checking-in can quickly disintegrate into micromanagement.
Make sure you give balanced attention to both the process people use and the people using the process.