Managers are the single most important benefit any company can offer their employees. When employees and managers communicate frequently and continuously share feedback (both ways), they’re more likely to be engaged in the workplace. The most powerful way managers can engage their employees and share feedback? Start by mastering the one-on-one meeting.
This guide covers every aspect of how to approach one-on-ones from both the employee and manager’s perspective. It’s time to make the most out of your most important meeting: One-on-ones.
One-on-one (1:1) meetings with your direct manager are invaluable opportunities to check in, get guidance, and strengthen your partnership. While managers typically own setting the agenda, employees play a critical role in ensuring these touchpoints are productive and rewarding. The right preparation and mindset allows you to get the mentoring and support you need from your boss.
Why 1:1s Matter
Dedicated 1:1 time with your manager benefits you in multiple ways:
- Gives visibility into your work and growth
- Creates space for honest, open communication
- Allows you to surface challenges early
- Provides clarity on priorities and expectations
- Enables constructive feedback and coaching
- Keeps alignment as projects evolve
- Deepens your working relationship
Without regular 1:1s, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your manager. You miss out on their strategic guidance at critical moments. Consistent 1:1s foster a mutually trusting partnership.
Before the Meeting: Set Yourself Up for Success
To extract maximum value from 1:1s, prep in advance:
Reflect on your goals – What skills are you trying to develop? What projects need direction? Identify topics to discuss.
Review action items – Note progress made and any obstacles encountered. Flag items needing more time.
Gather key updates – Compile status summaries on your projects and metrics Summarize notable wins, risks, or learnings to share
Consider questions – Jot down questions for advice as they arise during your week Don’t wait until the meeting
Set the agenda – Some managers prefer to set the 1:1 agenda while others collaborate with reports. Either way, suggest agenda topics that are important to you.
Send pre-reads – Share documents or notes in advance your manager should review for productive discussion.
Thoughtful prep ensures you steer conversations toward your needs and maximize time with your manager’s undivided attention.
Helpful Questions to Drive Impactful 1:1s
To guide great discussions in your 1:1s, have strategic questions ready to ask your manager, such as:
- What are your top priorities for me this quarter?
- How do you prefer I communicate project updates?
- What skills do you think I need to develop in my role?
- What workplace trends or challenges should I be aware of?
- How can I improve my performance?
- What organizational changes may impact my work?
- Are there opportunities to get exposure outside my core projects?
- How aligned are my goals with the company’s strategic priorities?
- What training or mentoring opportunities could help accelerate my growth?
- How satisfied are you with the work I’ve done and progress I’m making?
- What constructive feedback can you share so I can improve?
Don’t rely on your manager to address these topics without prompting. Drive a dialogue by asking open-ended questions that provide value to you.
During the Meeting: Maximize Your 1:1 Experience
When meeting with your manager:
Listen fully – Avoid distractions, don’t multitask, and give your manager your complete attention.
Take notes – Capture action items, feedback, and next steps discussed to revisit later.
Clarify expectations – Seek to understand priorities and goals to align your efforts accordingly.
Share challenges – Surface any obstacles, roadblocks, or ambiguities you’re facing to resolve them quickly.
Accept critiques – Welcome constructive criticism and act on suggested improvements.
Offer solutions – If raising an issue, aim to provide potential remedies for your manager’s input.
Express appreciation – Thank your manager for their guidance to continue building your partnership.
Being mentally present with a learning mindset makes your 1:1 interactions more meaningful.
After the Meeting: Solidify Key Takeaways
To retain value from your 1:1s over time:
Review notes – Revisit your notes to cement key points and next steps discussed.
Implement action items – Follow through on feedback, recommendations, and goals outlined.
Update project plans – Adjust schedules or approaches based on your manager’s input.
Reflect on growth – Identify personal and professional progress made through your 1:1 discussions.
Build on your relationship – Apply insights learned about your manager’s work style to deepen your partnership.
Prepare for next meeting – Note topics to revisit and new questions to ask at your next 1:1.
Regularly reinforcing and acting on your 1:1 takeaways ensures you keep advancing, with your manager’s guidance, until your next conversation.
Best Practices for Impactful 1:1s
Some final tips to maximize your 1:1 experience:
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Establish a regular cadence – Weekly or biweekly standing meetings provide consistency.
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Avoid canceling – Prioritize 1:1s when scheduling conflicts arise. Reschedule only when truly unavoidable.
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Set reminders – Calendar invites allow you both to prepare.
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Block time – Protect the full time allotted to avoid rushing.
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Find the right location – Meet where you can have an intimate, uninterrupted discussion.
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Come ready to engage – Bring energy, focus, and an open mind.
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Share the lead – Volunteer thoughts versus waiting to be asked questions.
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Provide context – Explain the backstories and nuances behind issues raised.
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Align outside meetings – Discuss other meetings you have where your manager’s guidance would be beneficial.
Reliable 1:1s with your manager provide touchpoints to calibrate your work, development, and relationship. By being intentional before, during, and after these meetings, you will keep advancing your performance, growth, and impact over time.
What are one-on-ones and why should you have them?
Everyone talks about one-on-one meetings, but there’s a lot of confusion about what they are. For some, they consider it to be an annual review, while for others it’s the weekly, bi-weekly or monthly meeting that employees have with their manager.
In this section we’ll cover:
A manager’s one-on-one meeting checklist
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be!
It seems like a lot, but once you get going, all these one-on-one habits will start to feel like second nature. To make things easier, we’ve put all of the steps into a downloadable checklist for you to follow along (until it becomes second-nature!)
6 Tips for Productive 1:1 Meetings with Your Manager
Should you prepare for one-on-one meetings with your boss?
You can also use these meetings as an opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insight into your employing business and industry. In this article, we discuss the importance of preparing for one-on-one meetings with your boss and provide tips to help you succeed in your next check-in with your manager.
Why should you have a one-on-one meeting with your manager?
A one-on-one meeting with your manager may be useful for performance reviews, brainstorming sessions or project planning. These kinds of meetings can help you learn valuable feedback that might allow you to succeed in your role and strengthen your relationship with your manager.
How do you make the most of a one-on-one meeting?
One way to make the most of a one-on-one meeting with your boss is by asking constructive questions. This not only shows that you’re engaged in the conversation but also demonstrates your eagerness to learn and grow. Try to focus on questions that will help you better understand your responsibilities and the expectations placed upon you.
What is a one-on-one meeting?
A one-on-one meeting is a dedicated space in your calendar to speak privately with your manager about your priorities, concerns, and professional development. Unlike a status report or a tactical meeting, a one-on-one should be the moment when you get to know your manager, ask for their advice, and exchange feedback.
