1 on 1 with Manager: 5 Tips to Make the Meeting Work for You

One-on-ones with the boss, as you know, are regularly scheduled meetings for managers to check in with direct reports. The format is pretty standard. There is complimentary or critical feedback about your performance, there might be questions about how you contribute to the team and organization, and there are likely to be questions about your commitments and career plans. You also know that, technically, the 1:1 is supposed to be a valuable opportunity to showcase your capabilities and air your concerns. And yet, if you are like the vast majority, you may well find yourself dreading the 1-to-1 with the boss.

You may see it as a waste of time – an hour spent in an awkward conversation peppered with platitudes when you could be doing ‘real work’! Or, even worse, as a potential landmine trap that you must tip-toe through carefully – impress the manager but don’t be a show-off, air concerns but don’t be whiny … and the list goes on.

Here are 5 tips to get out of the funk and leverage that 1:1 time to level up your career.

1. Have an agenda in place

   A concrete agenda is key to productive 1-on-1s.

   Maybe your boss has already set and shared the agenda. If you would like to add any other item, do let your manager know in advance. And if the manager has left the lead to you, do take some time to create a structured agenda and share it with your boss so that they know what to expect and can spend some time reflecting on the things you intend to discuss.
   If you are worried about coming across as pushy, don’t be. Time is precious: and your boss would also want to avoid the 1-on-1 becoming a rambling session

   Also Read: Effective Communication: The Job Skill That Accelerates Professional Success

2. Discuss the long term

   The best bosses facilitate employees in achieving their long-term career vision, and this is a legitimate expectation to have while walking into a 1-on-1.

   So, be prepared to articulate your long-term career expectations. Discuss how you feel your boss can help you grow in your career. Set time-bound goals and clarify expectations.

   On the flip side, understanding your aspirations will allow your boss to provide better feedback on what you need to do to achieve your goals

3. Ask questions

   Whether abstract or concrete, the 1-on-1 is the best possible space to air your questions. You can draw upon the wisdom of a more experienced individual to figure out a knotty problem, think through a particular challenge, and/or map some potential outcomes of working strategies

   The idea here is to maximize your learning, so don’t be afraid to share ideas you haven’t worked out fully. A helpful boss will polish your best suggestions and help you develop expertise.

   Also Read: Mastering the Art of Professional Communication: A Comprehensive Guide

4. Exchange feedback

   Feedback is an essential theme in most one-to-one meetings. Actively solicit feedback on your work performance in your 1:1. Ensure that you receive the feedback constructively, with an open mindset.

   Ask your manager to share examples of specific instances and skill areas where you can improve.

   Often, you are expected to offer feedback on the management methods of your boss in the 1:1. (And even if you are not, this is an excellent place to bring up areas of concern, if any.) Admittedly this is a delicate line to walk. Frame the feedback constructively, with respect and compassion. Also, remember that your task is to offer feedback, not shove it down someone’s throat.

5. Make it actionable

   This is really the summa of everything that has already been said. The 1-on-1s should lead to concrete commitments and actionable, measurable outcomes. Articulate timelines to achieve goals, agree on realistic deadlines and set waypoints to track progress.

   This shows that you take the 1-on-1s seriously and put thought into translating them into action. It also helps with accountability.

Wrapping up

The thought of a 1-on-1 with your boss doesn’t necessarily need to evoke dread.
If you have an agenda and are candid, receptive, and committed to creating action items for relevant points, the one-on-one can serve as a superb resource propelling your professional and career growth