1:1’s: Boring status updates, or the ultimate trust builders?
Hey, Leader —
Show of hands: when you first became a manager or leader, how many of you were told by your leaders that it was critical to schedule one-on-one (1:1) meetings with your direct reports?
Of course, you scheduled them. If they were critical, who were you to argue?
But did anyone ever really…tell you how to conduct them?
If you answered “no,” I feel you. That was very much my experience as a brand-new leader. I knew it was important to have these meetings, but I didn’t always know what I should be doing with that time.
Was it just a meeting for status updates?
Do I need to be talking the whole time?
Can I ask how my team members are doing, or does it have to be strictly business?
Over time, I learned the answers to those three questions were 1) no, 2) nope nope NOPE, & 3) ALWAYS ask how your team members are doing.
Several years & many 1:1’s later, I now know that 1:1’s build trust faster than anything else at an organization. Why? Because it’s intentional time you’re spending connecting & forming a relationship with another person. It’s a time to really see your employees, hear them, & value them. And, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that you care about them both personally & professionally.
Trust building is important on its own, but wait…there’s more. The time you spend in 1:1’s with your team members is an opportune time to coach them for development. As we’ve discussed before, coaching is what leadership is all about .
To help them get unstuck, make progress, & grow. To explore, learn, & gain clarity.
To help them commit to action that will truly move the needle at your organization.
To celebrate the CRAP out of them & tell them how amazing they are.
When we coach leaders at The Perk, we spend a fair amount of time talking about running great 1:1 meetings—& here are the three biggest actions we stress the most:
First, reflect on a time in your career when you had an incredible 1:1 with your leader. What made it so great? What did your leader do? Similarly, think of those “meh” 1:1’s you’ve had in your career. What did your leader do or not do? Or, what did YOU do or not do?
Second, visualize a GREAT 1:1. Imagine you just completed an incredible 1:1 with one of your direct reports. What happened that created those results? What behaviors did you exhibit as a leader, & what behaviors did they exhibit? What was the feeling in the room? Last, clarify impact. What do you want the impact of your 1:1’s to be? What do you want to happen as a result?
2. Give your 1:1’s a structure: At The Perk, we adhere to what we call the “10-80-10”:
3. Have your team prepare. 1:1’s get a bad rap. I’ve lost track of how many leaders & employees have told me they’re a “waste of time.” Here’s some tough love: they’re a waste of time because you’re doing it wrong. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is to not prepare for 1:1’s. Again, here’s where the 1:1 Prep Form comes in—read below for the prompts we put in ours!
Oof. This email is getting long—but hey—I LOVE talking about 1:1’s.
As you can guess, there’s plenty more where this came from. So, I’d love for you to join us at the next Culture Community, which takes place on Thursday, June 20 at 8:30 am. The awesome Emily Smit is going to be presenting “Mastering Powerful 1:1 Meetings: Crafting Conversations that Build Connection & Drive Progress.” She’ll go deep into all the stuff above, plus so much more. Be sure to register here!
You're amazing,
领英推荐
#PerkProTip: Prompts for 1:1 Prep Forms!
1:1 Prep Forms are an absolute game-changer. It gives your team members time to reflect on the progress they’ve made since their last meeting with you, & it also helps them get clear on what they want to discuss in this session. At The Perk, we ask that our team completes their prep forms at least 24 hours in advance—this way, you have a chance to look at their answers & you’re not going into the conversation cold, either.
Below are examples of the eight Prep Form prompts we use. Feel free to copy them completely, or edit them to fit your leadership brand & the culture you’re creating!
As always, we’d love to hear if you use these prompts, & how they work for you!
What's The Perk saying?
Our media selections this month focus on ways to build relationships & maximize the impact of your time with your team through powerful meetings!
Listen as a Leader vs. as a Problem Solver (25 min activity)
Manage Progress, Not People (13 min activity)
What's our community saying?
We’re always soaking in the latest news & insights on culture, organizational development, & leadership. This month’s resources focus on how to use your 1:1 time wisely, engage your teams, & empower them to grow!
How to Lead Your First One-on-One Meeting (Matt Mayberry | Harvard Business Review)
Rituals for Virtual Teams (The Conversation Factory podcast)
How to Run Productive 1:1 Meetings (The Predictive Index)
Want more? Yeah, you do!
Check out our live webinars, free programs & other events coming up soon!
Mastering Powerful 1:1 Meetings: Crafting Conversations that Build Connection & Drive Progress
June 20 | Virtual
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to conduct powerful & effective 1:1's that build trust, drive employee development, & foster meaningful connections. Discover why 60% of workers believe that 1:1s are the fastest way to build trust & how to leverage this time to benefit both personal & professional growth. By the end of this workshop, you will have the tools & strategies to transform your 1:1s into sessions that update, uplift & motivate your team. Join us to enhance your leadership skills & create a more engaged & productive work environment!
Key takeaways include: