1:1 - how to use this time efficiently?
The general concept of 1:1 as a "time slot during which you build a specific form of trust and rapport with your reportee/manager" seems so artificial I can't find a legitimate use for it and by the flow of discussion can sense the other person is struggling, too. "It's time for us to talk about anything you want" - "great! I just learned I have 5 baldness genes!". How to use this time efficiently, so that it really contributes? Do you really force yourself to share your thoughts and feelings even if you hardly know the other person? Do you discuss specific topics? Are these only job related, project related, interpersonal (work), or personal? How do you choose matters to discuss during these slots?
As a manager, I notice a number of my team focusing on updating me with where they are at with a project or their successes. While that’s great to hear, I want them to express where they are struggling. I see myself as a servant leader - one who is here to assist my team - and knowing what roadblocks they have - allows me to help them do a better job. Roadblocks can be both individual based (I’m having troubles with time management/ can’t find the solution/ this needs more time) or external (individual X is delaying their deliverable which is impacting my work, team Y is unresponsive, etc). This not only allows for assistance for the roadblocks but will help the individual develop a new perspective on how to approach problems - developing soft skills along the way.
^^^ this. Both for me as a manager and for me as the employee.
imo middle management is worthless and probably could all be fired and most companies would do just fine Do you know what managers do? They attend 1:1s all day listening to engineers bitch about their job.
My team would struggle without our manager
Manager made the staff solve their own problems and used it as negative comment/need improvement area in their review. Now no one wants to share their problem or struggle. Toxic.
It's what you make of it. I use it to talk about career progression