Check-In Deck – What will the weather be like today?
Sunshine in the meeting—or a storm brewing? Why a check-in clears up the weather
You know how it is: a meeting starts, someone seems irritable, the next person is quiet, and somehow there’s a “storm” hanging over the room—even though the agenda promised nothing but sunshine. Most of the time, we politely ignore it, but secretly everyone is wondering: what’s going on here?
That’s exactly why we have our “Weather Mood” check-in deck—a small set of cards with a big impact.
Why the weather is important in meetings
A quick check-in at the beginning makes the difference between a tedious “drizzly meeting” and a lively exchange.
• No more guesswork: Instead of speculating why your colleague is grumbling today, you know: He’s just having a “storm in his head.”
• More understanding: When someone says, “It’s cloudy in my head right now,” it gives everyone else the chance to respond with empathy.
• Focus instead of drama: A quick check-in about the weather situation – and suddenly it’s all about the matter at hand, not underlying tensions.
In short, the check-in deck is like an umbrella for meetings – it protects against small mood showers ruining the whole meeting.
Weather as the language of emotions
Feelings are complicated, but everyone understands the weather. That’s why symbolism is so practical:
• Sunshine: Everything is going well, pure energy.
• Rain: Thoughtful, somewhat difficult day.
• Storm: Chaos in your head, clouded thoughts.
• Clouds: Not quite clear yet, somewhere in between.
This allows you to communicate without having to deliver a page-long analysis of your feelings. A simple “It’s raining for me today” is enough – and your team knows how things are going. You create closeness where there is distance.
Here’s how it works: Three steps to check the mood
1. Draw a card.
2. Briefly describe the weather you’re experiencing. (No need to write a novel.)
3. Reflect on what this means for your meeting.
Bonus question: What would need to happen for the weather to become sunny? – this even gives your team a little “weather forecast.” 🌞
Want your own deck?
If you’re thinking, “That’s exactly what our team needs!”, then grab your own check-in deck.
Just send us a message using our contact form – we look forward to hearing from you.
And if you want to dive right in, you can find the complete instructions for the deck here.
👉 Conclusion:
Meetings are serious enough.
A playful check-in brings sunshine into the room—and ensures that we understand each other better. Because whether it’s stormy or sunny, knowing the weather makes it easier to get through the meeting.
