According to legend, the Helicopter Check‑In originated in the daily work of helicopter pilots who shuttle teams from the mainland to offshore platforms and back again. These missions — often affected by strong winds — carry particular risks. After a series of workplace accidents, investigators looked into the causes and discovered that most incidents were linked to moments of inattention on the part of the pilots. These lapses, in turn, were frequently connected to heavy personal concerns that continued to occupy the pilots during their missions.To address potential distractions — and ideally set them aside for the duration of the flight — the pilots introduced the Helicopter Check‑In. Before takeoff, they asked one another two simple questions: «What are you feeling right now?» and «What’s keeping you from being 100% present?»

Take a moment to tune in and get clear on your personal starting point for the day or for the meeting. One key thing: focus on answering the «What» in «What are you feeling right now?» — not the «How» in the usual «How are you?». We tend to answer that one automatically, without really checking in with ourselves.Feel free to capture your answer visually. You can write, sketch, doodle, or simply choose a smiley to express your mood. Once everyone is ready, you can share your individual check‑ins with the group. Keep it brief and listen actively to one another. Comments aren’t necessary unless you’ve agreed otherwise.