The Importance of One-on-One Meetings with Your Manager
As an employee, it's essential to have regular one-on-one meetings with your manager. These meetings are not only crucial for getting your work done but also for your career growth and development. However, the amount you get out of these meetings depends solely on what you put into them. In this article, we'll discuss the questions you should consider asking your manager during your one-on-one time with them. These questions will not only help you get your work done but also help you understand the bigger picture and the why behind your work, which is essential to your career growth and development.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. What is a One-on-One?
3. How Often Should You Have a One-on-One?
4. How to Start Having One-on-Ones with Your Manager
5. Questions About Daily Duties and Upcoming Projects
6. Questions About Career Development and Growth
7. Miscellaneous Questions to Ask Your Manager
8. Conclusion
9. FAQs
What is a One-on-One?
A one-on-one is a dedicated time on your calendar that is set aside specifically for you and your manager to have discussions about pending items, upcoming projects, career growth, or anything else that you might want to have a conversation about. These meetings give you the time and space to connect with and create a relationship with your manager so that you can have a positive experience at work.
How Often Should You Have a One-on-One?
How often you have a one-on-one with your manager is going to depend on you and your manager's preferences. However, in general, it's recommended to have a one-on-one with your manager at least once a week for 30 minutes at a time. This would be a bare minimum, and in some circumstances, you might want to have two a week for 30 minutes each or even one a week for 60 minutes. It's going to depend on the circumstances.
How to Start Having One-on-Ones with Your Manager
If your manager hasn't put one-on-one time on your calendar, be proactive in putting time on their calendar to have that one-on-one time where you guys can have a discussion around projects and duties that you're currently working on. If you're a little bit nervous to do this, send your manager an email, a Slack, or a Teams message saying, "Hey, I'm thinking about putting some designated time on our calendars every week where you and I can just have a conversation about where we're at in projects, what you need from me, and what your expectations are. Is that okay with you?" If your manager is hesitant, let them know the benefits of being able to put that time on their calendar. For example, having a one-on-one will allow you to resolve any issues or obstacles that you're having in projects early on, which will then increase the efficiency of the project.
Questions About Daily Duties and Upcoming Projects
1. **What tasks should I focus on?** Ask your manager if you should continue to focus your time on specific tasks or if you can take on other tasks that would also help them.
2. **What are our biggest priorities right now?** If you're feeling overwhelmed and pulled in different directions, ask your manager to clarify what the biggest priorities are right now.
3. **What should I do if I'm consistently getting stuck on something?** Ask your manager for advice on what to do if you're consistently getting stuck on a specific task or duty.
4. **What is the best way to get your input or support if I need assistance with something?** Ask your manager how they prefer to receive communication from you if you need their input or support.
5. **Is there anything top of mind for you that you'd like to talk about that we haven't discussed yet?** Ask your manager if there's anything else they'd like to discuss that you haven't covered yet.
Questions About Career Development and Growth
1. **Can I work on a specific project to further develop my skills?** If you're interested in a specific project, ask your manager if it's possible for you to work on it as part of your development.
2. **Who would be the best person for me to connect with to learn more about a specific topic?** Ask your manager if they can introduce you to someone who can help you learn more about a specific topic.
3. **What skills do I need to continue to master in order to get promoted?** Ask your manager what skills you need to continue to develop in order to get promoted.
4. **Are there any courses or conferences that I could attend to further develop my skills?** Ask your manager if the company has a budget to help you attend courses or conferences that would help you further develop your skills.
5. **Do you see that I've been improving in the skills that I could develop?** Ask your manager if they see that you've been improving in the skills that you need to develop and if not, ask for clarification on what their expectations are.
Miscellaneous Questions to Ask Your Manager
1. **Would it be possible to do a mid-year check-in on my goals?** Ask your manager if it's possible to do a mid-year check-in on your goals to make sure that you're on track and to confirm whether or not you need to make any adjustments.
2. **Am I meeting your expectations?** Ask your manager if you're meeting their expectations and if not, ask for clarification on what expectations you're not meeting.
3. **Are you happy with our level of communication?** Ask your manager if they're happy with the level of communication that you have and if there are any adjustments that you can make.
4. **Would you be open to receiving some feedback on a specific project or task?** Ask your manager if they're open to receiving feedback on a specific project or task.
5. **Is there anything else I can assist with or take off of your plate right now?** Ask your manager if there's anything else you can assist with or take off of their plate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having regular one-on-one meetings with your manager is essential for your career growth and development. These meetings give you the time and space to connect with and create a relationship with your manager so that you can have a positive experience at work. By asking the right questions, you can get the most out of these meetings and better understand the bigger picture and the why behind your work.
FAQs
**Q: How often should I have a one-on-one with my manager?**
A: How often you have a one-on-one with your manager is going to depend on you and your manager's preferences. However, in general, it's recommended to have a one-on-one with your manager at least once a week for 30 minutes at a time.
**Q: What should I ask my manager during a one-on-one?**
A: You should ask your manager questions about daily duties and upcoming projects, career development and growth, and any other miscellaneous questions that you might have.
**Q: How do I start having one-on-ones with my manager?**
A: If your manager hasn't put one-on-one time on your calendar, be proactive in putting time on their calendar to have that one-on-one time where you guys can have a discussion around projects and duties that you're currently working on. If you're a little bit nervous to do this, send your manager an email, a Slack, or a Teams message saying, "Hey, I'm thinking about putting some designated time on our calendars every week where you and I can just have a conversation about where we're at in projects, what you need from me, and what your expectations are. Is that okay with you?"
