Discuss only the few topics that matter.
And discuss them deeply, until issues are fully understood and the path forward is agreed.
By preparing discussion notes and flagging discussion topics in advance, you can stop wasting time talking about things that are already agreed.
Weekly 1-on-1 meetings, when done well, can replace hours of team meetings, progress updates, and ad hoc status checks.
Once you get into the habit of preparing good discussion notes, you may find you can even remove the 1-on-1 discussion from your diary.
Preparing discussion notes in advance of each week's 1-on-1 gives each employee the freedom to shape their week according to their preferred way of working.
This makes work more enjoyable, and contributes to the culture of ownership and responsibility.
Provide a psychologically safe space for your team members to share ideas, address challenges, and solicit honest feedback.
A weekly 1-on-1 also systematically provides opportunities for coaching, and to resolve issues causing stress.
Create a culture where people do what they say they will do.
Foster a sense of personal responsibility, without being confrontational, by creating a supportive, non-performative environment where team members can openly discuss progress and challenges.
Identify opportunities to remove barriers to progress, by relentlessly focusing on what is critical to you and your team.
Quickly identify issues and take corrective action, make a decision, coordinate resources, or escalate for extra help.
