Episode Summary
In this episode, host Niamh Moynihan shares actionable advice on how to elevate one-to-one meetings to ensure they are productive, supportive, and meaningful for both managers and team members.
Reflecting on her diverse experiences, Niamh highlights the value of preparation, purpose, and structure while offering practical dos and don’ts for optimising these important conversations.
Key Takeaways
Why One-to-One Meetings Matter:
- They offer space for meaningful discussions about progress, challenges, and development.
- Regular one-to-ones encourage trust, alignment, and proactive problem-solving.
Four Elements of Effective One-to-Ones:
- Purpose: Clearly define whether the focus is on tasks, personal development, or a mix of both.
- People: Determine who should be involved, especially in cases where a team member has multiple managers.
- Format/Structure: Establish a semi-structured agenda to ensure intentional, consistent conversations.
- Frequency: Tailor the meeting frequency and duration to the needs of the individual and the role.
Dos and Don’ts for Better One-to-Ones:
- Do:
- Schedule meetings consistently and stick to the schedule.
- Create a welcoming atmosphere and actively listen.
- Discuss both progress and challenges to ensure balanced conversations.
- Don’t:
- Cancel or be late unless absolutely necessary.
- Let the meeting become overly task-focused or monopolise the conversation.
- Dilute the discussion by tacking on unrelated topics at the end.
Tips for Managers:
- Reserve daily buffer time to handle team needs outside of one-to-one meetings.
- Take a short micro-break before the meeting to reset and ensure you show up with intention.
- Adjust meeting length and frequency to fit the team member’s role, experience, and autonomy.
Practical Tips from the Episode:
- For Managers: Tailor your approach to one-to-ones based on your team members’ needs, balancing task updates with developmental support.
- For Team Members: Use one-to-ones to share challenges and request feedback or guidance, ensuring you make the most of the opportunity.
Until next time, stay well and have a better workday.
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