If your one-on-ones are defaulting to status updates, it’s a signal

Pro Tip: If your one-on-ones are defaulting to status updates, it’s a signal that there isn’t a good, stable process for your team to trust that you’re getting the information you need. As a result, they use face time to make sure you’re in the loop.

When this happens, it’s important to recognize the underlying issue: your team might feel anxious that their work isn’t being seen, or they may not be confident that you’re on top of things as their manager. Hint: It’s a you problem. Even if you’re handling everything behind the scenes, you may not be sending the right signals to reassure them.

Action Step: Start by sniffing out any anxiety or lack of confidence. Are your team members uncertain about how their work is being tracked or recognized? Do they worry that their contributions aren’t visible? These are critical questions to explore.

Stop-Gap Solution: If this is an issue, consider scheduling a dedicated status update meeting less than 24 hours before your next one-on-one. This ensures that by the time you hold your one-on-one, the focus can shift to more meaningful discussions—like their personal growth, challenges, and future goals—instead of rehashing what’s already been covered.

Long-Term Strategy: To build a more sustainable approach, consider implementing these practices:

1. Weekly Project Update Sessions: Hold a dedicated session where project leads provide updates. This not only keeps you informed but also gives you an opportunity to coach them in real time, addressing any concerns before they escalate.

2. Monthly Deep-Dive Coaching Sessions: Use these sessions to work with your team members on creating and maintaining brag documents. This helps ensure their impacts are recorded and valued, building their confidence and reinforcing their contributions.

Final Thought: It’s easy to dislike meetings, but as managers, we need to recognize that not all the value of meetings comes from the meeting itself. There’s inherent value in the connections made, the conversations had, and the hidden signals picked up during these interactions. These moments contribute significantly to the effort and personal connections that ultimately drive a team’s success.