Effective One on One Meetings

This week the Wily Manager guys discuss why and how to do effective One on One meetings.  Join the discussion of this important managerial tool.

Monday’s Tip:       Do them regularly.  If you create the discipline to conduct these meetings weekly or bi-weekly, you’ll find they will save you time by reducing rework, and minimizing the number of drop-in meetings you have.

Tuesday’s Tip:        Have your directs be responsible for the meeting.  Make your direct reports responsible for the scheduling and execution of this meeting.  You will still be an active participant, but your directs will conduct the meeting.

Wednesday’s Tip:       Know what positive things you’d like to reinforce at the meeting.  One on ones provide an excellent opportunity to clarify your expectations, and to reinforce desired behaviors and results.  Make sure you look for things in advance to acknowledge.

Thursday’s Tip:       Know what corrective feedback you’d like to offer at the meeting.  By asking clarifying and confirming questions, you can establish the status of various tasks and projects long before they go wrong.  This is your opportunity to correct behaviors or tasks.

Friday’s Tip:       Make your One on Ones the “Meeting Your Never Miss”.  Organizations that do one on one meetings consistently and well, report better results and morale.  In order to realize these benefits, you need to ensure you treat your one on ones as the meeting you never miss.