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Here's some tips to better 1:1s on-top of what the article mentions: - If you're a direct manager in the 1:1, it is your job to take notes. Period. - 1:1s are

Here's some tips to better 1:1s on-top of what the article mentions: - If you're a direct manager in the 1:1, it is your job to take notes. Period. - 1:1s are business meetings about results, and sometimes personal matters are discussed. - If you have role power, you need to be cautious with what you say during a 1:1. People will take things literally. - Agendas should be simple. 10 minutes you, 10 minutes me, 10 minutes for the future. Most important thing first, always. - To start a 1:1, make a statement or a question, sometimes the small talk is not wanted or dreaded. "How's it going", "How are you", "How are things" are all valid. - Don't come with an agenda to a 1:1. People hate not being able to contribute. - If you setup 1:1s as a tool to get to know the team members you work with regularly, follow a simple 15 minutes you, 15 minutes me type of deal. (Especially if you're a PM, TPM, or EM working with another discipline)

pc86 5y ago
It's interesting to me how many people have diametrically opposed views of what a 1:1 should be. Business meetings / status updates vs. personal discussion. Structured agenda vs. no agenda. Weekly vs. biweekly vs. monthly. Etc.
- thenerdhead 5y ago
  Yeah, you can definitely go the Andy Grove approach or even try to become your direct's friend(don't really recommend). Personally I think 1:1s are being used wastefully and have become the industry norm so people put up with them.
avel 5y ago
Agendas should be simple, or should I not come with an agenda at all? An agenda, either shared with the other person or not, is fine. I'd rather have a meeting with agenda / talking points rather than one without. It doesn't prevent people from being able to contribute, as long as you don't monopolize your part.
- thenerdhead 5y ago
  I meant that there should be no agenda set. Each person should come with their own topics. Sorry about that. It’s not fair when say a boss wants a status update when you want to talk about career growth for example.

pc86 5y ago

It's interesting to me how many people have diametrically opposed views of what a 1:1 should be. Business meetings / status updates vs. personal discussion. Structured agenda vs. no agenda. Weekly vs. biweekly vs. monthly. Etc.

thenerdhead 5y ago
Yeah, you can definitely go the Andy Grove approach or even try to become your direct's friend(don't really recommend). Personally I think 1:1s are being used wastefully and have become the industry norm so people put up with them.

avel 5y ago

Agendas should be simple, or should I not come with an agenda at all? An agenda, either shared with the other person or not, is fine. I'd rather have a meeting with agenda / talking points rather than one without. It doesn't prevent people from being able to contribute, as long as you don't monopolize your part.

thenerdhead 5y ago
I meant that there should be no agenda set. Each person should come with their own topics. Sorry about that. It’s not fair when say a boss wants a status update when you want to talk about career growth for example.