The practical purposes of one-on-one meetings include everything from getting status updates on employees’ priorities and deliverables to removing blockers and planning what’s coming up. But they can also be a moment to tackle difficult conversations, exchange feedback, discuss a direct report’s career goals, and much more. Having regular one-on-one meetings provides many benefits and helps managers:
See the bigger picture
Detect and prevent potential conflict
Manage up with senior managers more effectively
Acknowledge accomplishments
Support employee career development
Make conversations on performance management a positive experience
Ultimately, the purpose of one-on-one meetings is to maintain ongoing communication with each member of your team. Better one-on-one conversations with your direct reports can help drive employee engagement, career development, and team alignment. This can be done well with the right human touch, even if happening over video calls instead of in a conference room. Having a one-on-one agenda helps you plan, think out discussion points in advance, and not miss any pressing issues, making one-on-one conversations flow. Coming to a meeting prepared shows your employees you care and builds trust and rapport.