One-on-one Meeting Assessment Questions for Managers

In a percentage answer, in your 1:1s, how often do you…    

1. Schedule 1:1s in advance on a recurring basis?     
2. Have an agenda for your 1:1s?    
3. Involve your direct report(s) in the creation of that agenda?    
4. Review notes from the previous 1:1 before your next 1:1?    
5. Promptly reschedule canceled 1:1s?    
6. Start 1:1s positively?    
7. Show up on time?    
8. Start with topics provided by your direct report(s)?    
9. Briefly revisit action items from the previous 1:1?    
10. Actively listen to your direct report(s) during the meeting?    
11. Paraphrase things your direct report(s) says?    
12. Talk less than your direct reports during the meeting?    
13. Ask powerful and meaningful questions?    
14. Adjust to what your direct report(s) wants to talk about?    
15. Find yourself fully present during the meetings?    
16. Talk about non-work topics?    
17. Check on the well-being of your direct report(s)?    
18. Address roadblocks by providing resources/help?    
19. Take notes during the 1:1?    
20. Discuss topics other than updates (such as long-term topics)?    
21. End on time?    
22. End with action items?    
23. Thank your direct report(s) for their time and hard work?    
24. Summarize what was discussed?    
25. Share notes on the 1:1 once done?    
26. Contact your direct report(s) outlining post 1:L actions?    
27. Get feedback from your direct report(s) on your 1:1s?    
28. Follow up on your promised action items?    
29. Follow up with your direct report(s) on their action items?

Scoring yourself

All done with the list? Now tally up the number of items where you rated yourself at 85% or higher.

26-29: Nice work! You hold great one-on-ones. Focus on honing your habits—and bringing them to every sit-down.

21-25: You have a solid foundation here! Target one to three items you’re falling short on, until you confidently do them in every one-on-one.

20 and under: You have some room for improvement—but improvement, dear reader, begets opportunity! Read up below on how to boost your sit-down skills.

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