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You can find an introduction to One-on-One Meetings in Chapter 19 of Where the Action Is. These resources will help you plan, run, and troubleshoot the specific One-on-One Meetings your team needs.

Definition

A One-on-One Meeting is used to offer support, develop relationships, and ensure mutual accountability between two people.

Questions Answered

  • What’s happening with you?
  • What’s going on with your work?
  • What do I need to understand?
  • How can I help?

Examples

  • The Manager/Employee One-on-One
  • Coaching Sessions
  • Mentorship Meetings
  • The “Check In” with an Important Stakeholder
  • Performance Reviews

Purpose

  • Career and personal development.
  • Individual accountability.
  • Relationship maintenance.

Work Outcomes

  • Clarity about progress made.
  • Clarity of expectations.
  • Clarity about the other person’s intentions.
  • Actionable advice.

Human Outcomes

  • Support and/or reassurance.
  • “Clearing”: getting things off one’s chest.
  • New ideas and opportunities to consider (learning).

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Meeting Agenda Templates and Guides

How to Run a One-on-One Meeting (30-60-90 Focus Plan)

Paul Axtell - This meeting agenda template is one of two one-on-ones designed by Paul Axtell. One-on-one sessions can truly be a back-and-forth, give-and-take discussion that leads to transparency, clarity, and progress. The best one-on-one meetings are led by the employee rather than the manager. The 30-60-90 meeting provides... [ more ]

How to Run a One-on-One Meeting (Standard Check-In)

Paul Axtell - This meeting agenda template is one of two one-on-ones designed by Paul Axtell. One-on-one sessions can truly be a back-and-forth, give-and-take discussion that leads to transparency, clarity, and progress. The best one-on-one meetings are led by the employee rather than the manager. The "Standard Checking-In"... [ more ]

How to Run High Performance One-on-Ones

Elise Keith - Cisco studied engagement in over 15,000 teams and found that well- designed one-on-ones based on just two questions reliably boosted employee engagement and team performance. What are your priorities this week? How can I help? Before your weekly meeting, ask team members to write the answers to these questions... [ more ]

Glossary of Meeting Terms

General Term

Job Embeddedness Theory
According to Job Embeddedness Theory, when an employee is more embedded within their organization, they are less likely to quit. Unlike simpler measures of job satisfaction or self-reports of engagement, job...