4 Mistakes People Make During One-On-One Meetings

Are you making the most of your one-on-one meetings with your manager? If you leave these talks thinking, "That's an hour of my life I'll never get back," it's time to figure out how to improve things. Face time with your immediate supervisor can be beneficial if you're willing to make a few changes.

 

1. Allowing the boss to call all meeting shots

"What one-on-one meeting?" you may be thinking. When you say, "The only time I see my supervisor is when there's a problem," you've got your work cut out for you. But just because there isn't a regular meeting time with your team leader doesn't mean one can't be set up.

You must take the initiative and suggest that a meeting schedule be set. Most likely, you'll need to "sell" this a little but be prepared with reasons why it helps your boss, such as faster decision-making on their behalf, your increased productivity, or preventing problems from occurring in the first place.

"Why should I have to sell this?" you may ask. Isn't it your boss's responsibility to keep in touch with you? Yes, it is, but keep in mind that communication is a two-way street. If you concentrate on what your employer "should" do and wait for them to wake up and get with the programme, you will not receive the attention you require to advance your career.

 

2. Vague meeting expectations

Do you feel "meh" after meeting with your team leader? Perhaps it's because you and your boss disagree about the meeting's goal. It's fair to bring this up by saying, "I have a question about our one-on-one meeting. What are your expectations for this meeting so that we can be as productive as possible? What results do you want to see each month when we meet?" 

When you frame your question in terms of productivity, you avoid pointing the finger at anyone, which decreases the probability of defensiveness. If the question confuses your boss, have an answer ready that specifies the agenda and format of the meeting.

 

3. Lack of preparation or an unfocused agenda

Success is where preparation and opportunity meet. Each meeting with your supervisor offers a chance for you to succeed; it's a time to demonstrate your talents, learn new knowledge, and build rapport with your boss. The usual one-on-one meeting lasts 30 - 60 minutes once a month. Therefore you must optimise your time by being prepared. 

Walking into a meeting without a plan is not a good idea. Here's how you can get ready for your one-on-one meetings:

• Keep a running list of things to discuss with your team leader at your next meeting. This discussion list must contain things that are important but not time-sensitive.

• Whenever something might require your team leader's attention, ask yourself, "Can this wait until our next one-on-one meeting?"

• If it could, you can put it on the list. Examples include career discussions, ideas for new projects and follow-ups on tasks from previous meetings.

 

4. Too much emphasis on the daily details

You and your boss probably speak with each other frequently daily or weekly about pressing matters, status updates, and little things that need to be discussed. What usually does not get covered during the Monday morning huddle is your career goals.

And for a good reason: daily interactions are designed to help you get your job done. However, if you do not make time to discuss your future aspirations, you will have fewer opportunities to respond to job opportunities when they emerge. 

When scheduling one-on-one meetings, consider not just the running list outlined above but also the big picture: how can you develop as an employee? Whether you want a promotion or are content with your current position, constantly expanding your skill set is critical.

When you meet with your supervisor, be prepared to provide instances of your work toward improvement and to ask for comments on how you can continue to grow.

 

Even if they are uncommon, one-on-one sessions with your team leader are one of the best methods to develop yourself for future job prospects. Make sure you're confident, have a plan, and are focused on the big picture, and you'll be well on your way to leveraging this crucial communication method.