1:1s are YOUR session. Please work on evolving these sessions so you are getting what YOU need from this time with your manager. Below you will find information to inform what this means and key things to consider.
What is a 1:1?:
1:1s are your session to get whatever YOU need from your manager to thrive in your role. It is an opportunity to move away from the day-to-day task discussion and connect and strengthen your working relationship.
Done well 1:1s can be a recurring session you can rely on to raise important and personal topics with your manager. They provide a space for:
- Formal check in on how you are doing and on what you need to empower you to thrive
- Feedback
- Coaching
- Relationship building
- Important information sharing
1:1 Vital Aspects:
- Never cancel a 1:1: If absolutely necessary agree to reschedule and immediately put in place a suitable alternative (this goes for Managers too)
- Focus is on how you are actually finding things, not day to day tasks. It’s often easier to do a status update than actually chat about how things are really going/things you might be struggling with/not be happy with.
- Prepare in advance: Have a plan for what you want to discuss with your manager. It’s your time, so use it well.
- Quality OVER Quantity: Keep an eye on the right cadence and agenda that works for you and your manager to get the most out of the time. Done too often they can evolve into operational meetings. Done not often enough it can feel like there is too long between meetings to get value from them.
Top tips to get the most out of your time together:
- Frequency and Length: It’s not one size fits all but typically if you are having genuine 1:1s (not operational sync/check ins) once every two weeks for 20-45 minutes works well.
- However put in 45mins / 1 hour slot so that you both have time to really go deep if something requires it. You can always wrap earlier if it is appropriate but at least the team members knows the time is there to use as needed.
- Work together to figure out what works for you both. Avoid mixing operational catch-ups with genuine 1:1s
- Schedule: Make sure your 1:1s are set as recurring meetings in your diary. You should also be having separate (likely more frequent) operational meetings also.