One on Ones: Employee Focused vs Employee Led

I used to believe that one on ones should be entirely employee led.

As a manager, it’s not about them coming to you with a bunch of issues that are top of mind, it’s about both of you coming together to continually and holistically support them as a person.

The should be employee FOCUSED. Here’s are 3 keys how to shift them today:

Agree on a goal: Supporting them

Both of you can ask questions but the goal being to explore the different areas of report’s role. There could be lots of important stuff below the surface they haven’t even thought of to bring up. It’s the managers job to help them bring it to light. It’s a shared experience.

Make a list of the themes you want to revisit regularly

Areas that need to regularly explore together:

​•​ (Every time) Working through what’s top of mind for them

​•​ Are they happy and growing in their role

​•​ Emotional health

​•​ Team dynamics

​•​ Are they thinking about leaving?

​•​ Are they growing in the ways they want to?

Do NOT let them devolve into status meetings

One on ones are a very different mental shift than the technical/managing work they were doing just before meeting. It’s hard to look inside and reflect on situations that one is struggling with

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