1:1 meetings are powerful tools for management of any size of an organization. It is, therefore, essential in making sure that the employees know what they are expected to do and do it in confidence. At 1:1 meetings one will dedicate spare time in the calendar for an open-ended conversation between the employee and the manager or any other senior staff. 1:1 sessions are a crucial part of the development of employees because they help them in securing the context of their daily operations. The meeting creates a platform where teammates and leaders interact regularly.
During 1:1 meetings the manager and the team members get aligned so they can address more significant issues and allow immediate feedback, hence promoting a 2-way open communication. Even though managers may be busy to hold 1:1 meetings, it is necessary at some time to create time and get to interact with their employees.
This can be achieved by setting aside an hour on a bi-weekly basis with your team members. It does not, however, need to be in an office or a conference room, you can always choose to have this over a lunch or coffee break and talk. The commitments give employees the morale of doubling their efforts at their respective positions at the same time as working under maximum support.
Managers have different orientations and meeting schedules with their employees. Some may prefer a whole day set aside for 1:1 interactions, while others may prefer having a full week of communication. This is important in creating a maximum mental presence of all the team members. Having a meeting on the same day is essential for setting yourself up with everything that is happening in the team. Therefore, as a manager, it is crucial to figure out and set your schedule so that you can return the best results.
Organizing for a 1:1 meeting has no specific way. However, they are many factors that determine the best structure of the meeting. Therefore, considering the relationship and the experience of the team member’s level is essential. The most significant element of 1:1 session is the creation of space regarding the mind. The meeting is generally for employees, and their participation is crucial to the organization.
The most striking aspect is for the manager to listen to what employees are saying. Thus, as a manager, always ensure that employees feel heard, empowered and safe. Once you have fully understood them, you should be a facilitator of the solution. Discuss their excitement and ways that you can mentor them to performing their best at work. You can engage employees through the following tactics:
● Affirming their perspectives
● Disclosing your weaknesses where you have fallen
● Being considerably on their side when giving them feedback
● Respecting them as a person and treating them as peers
Overall, checking in with your reports as a manager after every few weeks is a motivating factor. This will help in checking out the reaction of the 1:1 meetings and reaching a verdict.
Written by:
Girish Rohra Chawla
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