Manager 1 on 1s - What are they? What to talk about?
Some key ideas:
- Pursue awkward 1:1s
- 1:1 are a very inefficient way to talk about normal topics so lean into awkward topics.
- Some examples: I'm close to burn-out and feeling disengaged, I don't agree with the feedback I received, your compliment last week made my week much better.
- Don't talk about any topic that you could discuss in the open.
- The Art of the Awkward 1:1. You probably do a lot of one-on-one… | by Mark Rabkin | Medium
- Go beyond status updates
- Think about the highlight and lowlight of the week
- Share an observation + tentative language about a problem
- Write down takeaways
Before the meeting
- Lock down a regular time slot
- Set clear expectations around the content of the meeting.
- Align on communication style
- Have one document that houses every meeting's agenda and notes (agenda, action items, notes)
During the 1 on 1
- Rose, Thorn, Bud strategy
- Rose: A win you experienced since the last time you two had a chat. Does not have to be a big win, just needs to start the meeting on a positive note.
- Thorn: A challenge you've recently encountered and might need more support on.
- Bud: A new idea you have or something you want to learn more about and you want your manager's input on.
After the meeting
- Schedule some time to follow up on the action items.
- Add stuff to the agenda or the next meeting.
- Remind your manager of any of his action items that might have slipped through the cracks.
Resources: