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Run an Effective 1:1 with Manager
Prepare for, conduct, and follow up on productive 1:1 meetings with your manager.
Ongoing (weekly/bi-weekly)
5 steps
Overview
A comprehensive guide to running effective 1:1 meetings with your manager. This playbook covers preparation, agenda creation, communication strategies, and follow-up to ensure productive and meaningful conversations that advance your career and strengthen your working relationship.
Prerequisites
- Regular 1:1 schedule with manager
- Clear understanding of your goals and priorities
- Open communication mindset
- Note-taking system
Steps
1
1:1 Preparation
30 minPrepare for your 1:1 by setting goals, gathering updates, and creating an agenda.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •1:1 agenda document
- •List of updates and accomplishments
- •Discussion topics prepared
- •Questions for manager
Tips:
- •Send agenda 24 hours before the meeting
- •Focus on 2-3 key topics per meeting
- •Include both tactical updates and strategic discussions
- •Prepare specific examples for feedback requests
2
During the Meeting
30-60 minConduct the 1:1 with active listening and clear communication.
Deliverables:
- •Notes taken during meeting
- •Decisions documented
- •Action items captured
- •Feedback received
Tips:
- •Take notes but stay present in the conversation
- •Ask clarifying questions
- •Share specific examples, not generalizations
- •Listen actively and paraphrase to confirm understanding
- •Don't just report - discuss implications and next steps
3
Meeting Notes Cleanup
15 minTransform your meeting notes into clean, actionable summaries.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Clean meeting notes
- •Action items with owners
- •Decisions documented
- •Follow-up items
Tips:
- •Clean up notes within 24 hours while fresh
- •Share notes with manager for alignment
- •Add action items to your task management system
- •Set reminders for follow-up items
4
Follow-Up
OngoingExecute on action items and prepare for the next 1:1.
Deliverables:
- •Action items completed
- •Updates for next meeting
- •Progress on discussed topics
- •Questions for next 1:1
Tips:
- •Complete action items before the next meeting
- •Track progress on discussed topics
- •Document wins and accomplishments
- •Note blockers or challenges as they arise
- •Prepare agenda for next meeting early
5
Career Development Discussions
15-30 min (periodic)Use 1:1s to advance your career goals, create development plans, request feedback, and navigate important career conversations.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Career goals documented
- •Development plan with actionable steps
- •Skills gap analysis and learning plan
- •Feedback on skills and growth areas
- •Next steps for career advancement
Tips:
- •Discuss career goals regularly, not just during reviews
- •Use career-development-plan prompt to create a structured plan with your manager
- •Prepare for performance discussions with performance-self-assessment prompt
- •Ask for specific feedback using the feedback-request-framework - make it easy for your manager to give actionable input
- •Request stretch assignments or opportunities that align with your development plan
- •Share your long-term career aspirations and ask for guidance on the path
- •For difficult topics (compensation, promotion, concerns): Use crucial-conversations prompt to prepare your approach