Stop cancelling 1:1s with your team! Here’s 7 things you’re missing out on if you do

We get it.

We know you’re busy, running from task to task and not having a moment to breathe.

So, when we tell you that you need to magically create more time to have regular 1:1s with their team, you may be resistant.

You know in theory it’s the right thing to do, but even if you do have them in the diary, they’re often the first thing to be canned when urgent stuff comes up (as it always does).

But here’s the secret.

Having 1:1s with your team will give you MORE time.

And here’s why…

1.???? Build Trust

Regular 1:1 meetings provide a safe space for your people to express their concerns, share ideas, and discuss challenges. These sort of things don’t come to light in a group environment, and are crucial for you to build trust with every one of your team.

Trust is the foundation of any high-performance teams. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to contribute their best efforts and collaborate effectively.

2.???? Identify & Solve Challenges

1:1s are your window to understanding the good, bad and the ugly as to what’s going on in your business. Through these conversations, you’ll get a whole heap of data around current challenges or roadblocks your people are facing. This gives you the chance to resolve issues quickly, before they escalate.

You being regularly available for your team to provide support and guidance means your employees can focus on what they're supposed to be doing. It also means that concerning risks or issues don't remain hidden and unresolved.

3.???? Provide Feedback

1:1s are the perfect opportunity for you to provide feedback that is personalised and meaningful for the individual. Understanding everyone’s strengths and areas for development allows you to provide targeted support and coaching.

Personalised feedback will empower your people to learn, grow and perform even better, which leads to better results for your business overall.

4.???? Set goals

Regular 1:1 meetings are where you can check in on progress being made against goals or objectives your employee has been set. So often an objective has a target date that’s a significant period of time, so don’t leave it ‘til the due date to check in on progress.

Continuously aligning on goals and what good looks like will ensure that your employee doesn’t go off course. It also reminds them of the importance of their contribution and will drive engagement and motivation.

5.???? Celebrate success

1:1 meetings are the ideal environment for you to recognise and celebrate employee achievements. Not everyone enjoys a big fanfare in the office if they’ve done a good job, so be aware of how each of your team members like to be recognised.

Recognising success reinforces positive behaviour and inspires them to continue performing at their best.

6.???? Encourage Development

Understanding your employee’s aspirations for the future is a critical part of being a People Leader. Talking on a 1:1 basis will allow you to find out what motivates your employees so you can then give guidance and support on opportunities for their growth and development.

This will not only benefit your team individually, but collectively creates a growth mindset as part of your culture where people want to continuously learn and grow.

7.???? Strengthen Engagement

Having 1:1s shows your people that they matter to you and that you value their input, opinions and care about their well-being. People are much more likely to share personal challenges or concerns in a 1:1 than they are in a group environment, and this is your chance to check in with them on a personal level as well as professional one.

Engaged and motivated employees are more likely to put in the hard yards, leading to increased productivity and performance for your business.

Conclusion

Holding regular 1:1 meetings with your staff is not a nice to have, it’s a must.

By continuously building trust and open communication, identifying and addressing challenges, and providing individualised support and feedback, you will create an environment where your employees feel valued and motivated to succeed.

Setting goals and managing their performance, recognising and celebrating achievements, and encouraging their growth and development is not only great for the person in your charge, but collectively it leads to a more positive and productive culture.

As you make time for 1:1s and build them into your weekly rhythm, you’ll increase morale, and build a team that is driven by shared goals and a sense of purpose.

This will give you more time to focus on what you should be doing - leading the business.

So, what are you waiting for?

#EmpowerLeadership #PeopleFirstAlways

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