I Spent 5 Years Mastering This Technique - The Art Of The 1:1 Meeting

How to Master One-on-One Meetings at Work

1. Understand the Purpose of One-on-One Meetings:

   • One-on-one meetings are essential for building trust and relationships at work. It is a dedicated time for two individuals to focus solely on each other, providing an opportunity for feedback, career discussions, and issue resolutions.

2. Schedule Recurring One-on-One Meetings:

   • Ensure that you and your manager have regular one-on-one meetings. These meetings should ideally take place weekly and can last between 20 minutes to an hour.

3. Focus on Meaningful Conversations:

   • Avoid allowing one-on-one meetings to devolve into discussing mundane topics like what was done the previous week. Instead, use this time to talk about higher-level objectives, long-term goals, career growth, and feedback.

4. Embrace Awkward Topics:

   • Mark Rabkin, a Facebook vice president, suggests embracing awkward topics during one-on-one meetings. Discussing uncomfortable subjects can lead to personal growth and deeper connections.

5. Share Highlights and Low-lights of the Week:

   • Encourage reflection by discussing the high and low points of the week. This practice adds a personal touch to the conversation, fostering vulnerability and effective communication.

6. Make Observations and Seek Feedback:

   • Share observations with your manager using tentative language to express your feelings. This approach can lead to discussions about solutions and improvements within the team.

7. Maintain a Shared Document for Notes:

   • Keep a running document where both you and your manager can jot down key points discussed in each one-on-one meeting. This shared system helps track progress, action items, and growth over time.

8. Consider Walking One-on-One Meetings:

   • Walking meetings can enhance creativity and cognition. If possible, opt for walking one-on-one meetings. After the meeting, summarize the discussion in your notes for future reference.

9. Handle Canceled Meetings Effectively:

   • If your manager frequently cancels one-on-one meetings, use the shared document to signal your commitment to these meetings. This document also helps track progression over time, aiding in performance reviews.

10. Prepare for Deeper Conversations:

    • Come prepared for one-on-one meetings with topics related to career growth, feedback, or any challenges you are facing. This preparation ensures that the meeting is productive and focused on meaningful discussions.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively master the art of one-on-one meetings at work, fostering trust, growth, and stronger relationships with your colleagues and managers.