The Art of 1:1 Meetings — 6 Tips For Better Feedback

How to get the most from your personal meetings

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Of all the different types of meetings frequently held in the workplace, the 1:1 seems to be the most confounding. I want to spend some time breaking down how I approach 1:1s, both as a mentor and a mentee.

The key is to have some sort of goal in mind. You might not know what you are actually seeking to gain from your 1:1s and that’s normal. It takes time to learn what you want to get out of it. Most of the time, actionable feedback is the most helpful information you can get from someone, especially if they are at a higher level. I can write an entire story talking about why I love feedback from peers, but for now, I want to focus on how to make the most of a 1:1. I’ll share some strategies I use to ensure that my 1:1s are meaningful and effective.

Use the time however you want.

Feedback doesn’t have to be your goal from a 1:1. Although I will argue that you should constantly seek feedback from peers, it’s okay if there is something else you are looking for. The point is that you understand it is what you actually want.

In a traditional group meeting, there’s usually a clear flow that one can anticipate and an explicit goal that serves as the central…