Managers must regularly check in with each of their employees. However, employees often feel stressed when these occasions come by, making it hard to benefit optimally from the meetings. Whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been working at a company for a while, having one-on-one meetings with your boss can be critical to your success.
The meetings leave you and your boss feeling more productive, energized, and ready for what’s in store. On the flip side, the meetings can leave you feeling drained, hopeless, and confused about the way forward, especially if you go unprepared. For that reason, here’s how to have effective 1-on-1’s with your boss:
Set An Agenda
You’re likely to feel less jittery when meeting your boss if your meeting has an agenda. The most productive one-on-one meetings have some structure. You should do some preparation beforehand. If you show up without any prep, you’ll lose precious time in pointless conversations. So, set a clear agenda and even send it to your boss before meeting them.
Share Updates Quickly
When meeting your boss, it’s crucial to share updates about your work with them, but keep the updates quick. For instance, if you’re in charge of regulatory compliance at your company, you may want to inform your boss about the progress made in the recent past and the expected outcomes.
Before the one-on-one, think about what you’d like to share. Remember you don’t need to share everything during the meetings due to time concerns. Only focus on the most critical and leave the rest for email and other communication avenues.
Choose a Good Location
Your one-on-one can only be successful if you meet somewhere where you can talk freely without distractions. If you don’t feel comfortable meeting in the office, schedule the one-on-one in a café or a similar spot. You may even want to talk while taking a walk to have a more relaxed but impactful conversation without the pressure of getting disturbed or overheard by others.
If your company operates out of a co-working space with an open office concept, it might be challenging to have a free one-on-one with your boss. In this case, going out for a walk during your 1-on-1s will provide the personal and relaxed atmosphere needed for discussion. Better still, the exercise and fresh air you get help boost productivity.
Stay on Topic
Nothing is as nerve-wracking as bringing up a sensitive topic during your 1-on-1s with your boss. If you’re nervous about discussing a sensitive topic, don’t back down, especially if the dialogue shifts in a different direction. Also, some of these meetings may be scheduled to discuss your disappointing results or failure to meet targets.
If you’re nervous about discussing disappointing results, break the ice by telling your boss about the wins you’ve achieved in the recent past and what the future holds. It will seem like you’re seeking their advice and want to learn and grow from the not-so-fruitful experiences.
Be Fully Present
You should be all eyes and ears during a one-on-one with your boss. Don’t look at the meetings as just another task on your to-do list, but as a moment of personal and professional connection. Think along these lines… “I need to communicate my ideas and concerns and ensure I make a difference in this organization.” If you’re fully prepared for your meeting and attentive, your boss will also be devoted.
Take note of whatever is said during the meeting for purposes of questions, feedback, and follow-ups. It will also ensure you don’t miss out on anything said during the meeting. To avoid distractions, mute your PC and switch off your phone. Leaving them on sends the message that you don’t care about the 1-on-1 and that whatever is on your phone/computer is more urgent.
Share Your Concerns, Ideas, and Goals
Employers and other decision-makers like working with employees who are invested in the company. There’s no better way to prove that than sharing your ideas, goals, and concerns during your one-on-ones with your boss. Sharing what’s on your mind makes the meetings count and allows you to have your boss’ undivided attention.
In the busy atmosphere that characterizes modern workplaces, sharing your ideas and concerns with your boss makes you stand out from the pack. Don’t be afraid to do so because it’s your boss’ job to break down workplace barriers.
It’s normal to feel nervous after scheduling a one-on-one with your boss to pitch a new idea. You can eliminate the anxiety by preparing in advance and outlining why your ideas will improve workplace productivity. When you get used to pitching ideas and sharing your goals, you’ll have a stronger sense of belonging to the organization.
Discuss Long-Term
Decision-makers at most companies like working with visionaries. Your 1-on-1s shouldn’t only be about short-term goals. Remember to discuss the organization’s long term. For instance, if you work at a healthcare services company, you may want to discuss IT compliance stature in light of future amendments to the HIPAA regulation.
Discussing the organization’s long-term goals with your boss shows your concern about its future and your dedication to its success. It also demonstrates your ability to handle responsibility when called upon.
Ask for Feedback
At the end of your one-on-one, ask your boss for feedback. You will know what they think of the meeting and where to start in the next meeting. Although asking your boss for feedback may feel a little awkward, it shows you have a growth-oriented mindset and that you draw lessons from your mistakes.
Asking for feedback also demonstrates your willingness to have difficult conversations. It could be the difference between self-doubt and disappointment. Similarly, don’t shy away from providing feedback to make the workplace better for you and your colleagues.
Summing Up
One-on-ones allow you to have candid conversations with your boss. However, these sessions can only be productive if you prepare well and demonstrate to your seniors that you’re proactive about your roles and confident in your ability to execute them. When you develop the habit of meeting your boss regularly, it will be easier for you to impact the workplace positively.
Amanda Dudley is a lecturer and writer with a Ph.D. in History from Stanford University. After earning her doctorate in 2001, she decided to pursue a fulfilling career in the educational sector. So far, she has made giant strides by working as an essay writer for EssayUSA, where she delivers high-quality academic papers to students who need them.