How are you?

If you care enough to (truly) want to know how someone is doing … you have to ask them. Not just in passing. Not just once. But regularly, over time, as you simultaneously build trust.

And you have to listen.

And respond when appropriate.

“I had no idea” happens, but “I had no idea” is not an excuse.

True, if people want to hide how they’re doing, they certainly can.

But not asking — not checking in … that’s usually born of laziness or apathy.

And we’re not lazy or apathetic.