The best 1:1 Meeting template you can use.

I have been conducting 1:1 Meetings with my team for over 10 years and have tried various formats. This is one I came across and use today.

Pick the best questions that fit your meeting, and go prepared.

I’ve created a cheat sheet. Download a high-res PDF here.

Weekly 1:1 meetings transform teams.

From a group that work together.

To a group that trust each other.

This is the framework:

PREPARE:

1. Send the agenda for additional items to be added

2. Go back over the last meeting‘s notes.

3. Do not use this time to talk KPI's.

4. Turn off notifications and apps.

5. Start with appreciation.

AVOID:

• Rushing.

• Discussing KPI's.

• Missing or canceling.

• Making it all about business.

Dive into the meeting:

1. General check-in questions

↳ What’s on your mind?

↳ How is everything going?

↳ What are your plans and priorities?

2. Alignment questions

↳ Questions about the recent change?

↳ How do you feel about where we are going?

↳ How aligned are you with where we are going?

3. Progress questions

↳ What has challenged you?

↳ What has energized you in your role?

↳ How are you progressing towards your goals?

4. Relationship-based questions

↳ What feedback do you have for me?

↳ Any interactions you’d like to discuss?

↳ How is it going with people on your team?

5. Career aspiration questions

↳ How are you progressing toward your goals?

↳ What progress have you made on your goals?

↳ What two new skills will you need to learn?

6. Questions before you end your one-on-one meeting 

↳ Is there anything we didn’t cover to cover?

↳ What can I help you with before our next 1:1?

↳ What are you committing to before our next 1:1?

End the meeting:

→ With appreciation

→ Schedule the next one

→ Summary of items discussed

→ Pending items for next meeting

Remember:

You take care of your people, they will take care of your business.

Till next week,

Noemi

P.S. I have heard great things about this book. I am personally just diving into it but wanted to recommend it since it fits into today’s topic.

Bad Meetings Happen to Good People: How to Run Meetings That Are Effective, Focused, and Produce Results

by Leigh Espy