1-on-1 meetings are a powerful tool for managers and employees to connect regularly, build trust, and align on goals.
This guide will provide an overview of 1-on-1 meetings, their benefits, best practices, and examples of how to make the most of this time investment.
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What are 1-on-1 Meetings?
1-on-1 meetings are recurring, scheduled meetings between a manager and an employee.
These meetings provide a private space to discuss topics relevant to the employee’s work and growth.
1-on-1s are driven by the employee, with the manager listening and providing guidance.
Benefits of 1-on-1 Meetings
1-on-1 meetings offer many advantages for managers and employees:
- Build trust and increase communication – Frequent 1-on-1s foster open communication and strengthen the relationship.
- Coaching and feedback – Managers can provide targeted coaching and feedback to help employees develop.
- Align on goals – 1-on-1s enable managers and employees to set goals and track progress.
- Spot problems early – Managers can identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
- Increase job satisfaction – Employees feel more supported and invested in their work.
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How to Hold Effective 1-on-1 Meetings
Follow these 10 best practices to get the most out of 1-on-1s:
- Schedule consistently – Set a recurring cadence, such as weekly or biweekly. Consistency builds habit.
- Set an agenda – Outline key topics to cover for each meeting. Share agenda ahead of time.
- Listen actively – Let the employee drive the conversation. Listen without interrupting.
- Ask open-ended questions – Avoid yes/no questions. Ask “what if” and “how” to prompt discussion.
- Give feedback – Provide specific, timely praise and constructive criticism.
- Set goals and track progress – Define development goals and review progress over time.
- Make it employee-driven – Keep 1-on-1s focused on the employee’s needs, not just project updates.
- Avoid distractions – Don’t answer emails or take calls during the meeting. Be present.
- Take notes – Document key discussion points, action items, and follow-ups.
- Follow up – Revisit action items and commitments in the next meeting.
1-on-1 Meeting Examples
Here are 5 examples of effective 1-on-1 meetings in action:
- Career development discussion – Manager and employee review long-term career goals and identify skills to develop.
- Coaching on presentation skills – Manager provides feedback on recent presentation and coaches employee on improvements.
- Brainstorming new project ideas – Employee shares proposals for new projects and manager provides input.
- Goal-setting for next quarter – Manager and employee align on specific metrics and milestones to hit for Q3.
- Addressing performance issues – Manager expresses concerns about missed deadlines and creates a plan to get back on track.
Summary
1-on-1 meetings provide a simple yet powerful way for managers and employees to connect.
By meeting consistently, listening, providing feedback, and aligning on goals, 1-on-1s enable continuous development, improved performance, and stronger working relationships.
Following the best practices outlined above will lead to productive, engaging 1-on-1s.
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With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
