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People Management

Setting up One-on-One Meeting Agenda & Sample questions.

People Management

Setting up One-on-One Meeting Agenda & Sample questions.

Ten best one-on-one meeting questions to foster meaningful discussions and boost productivity.
Published on
March 29, 2024

One-on-one meetings offer a valuable opportunity for managers and employees to connect, align goals, and discuss challenges. However, the quality of these meetings often depends on the questions asked. To help you get the most out of your one-on-one sessions, we've compiled a list of the ten best one-on-one meeting questions to foster meaningful discussions and boost productivity.

Ten Examples of 1:1 Meeting Questions

What Are Your Current Priorities?

Starting with this question allows employees to share their immediate concerns and objectives. It also helps managers gain insight into what's most important to the individual, ensuring that resources and support are allocated appropriately.

How Can I Help You Achieve Your Goals?

This question demonstrates your commitment to your employees' success. It opens the door for them to discuss obstacles they may face and allows you to offer guidance, resources, or mentorship as needed.

What Are Your Biggest Challenges Right Now?

By addressing current challenges, you can identify roadblocks and work collaboratively to find solutions. This question encourages open communication and problem-solving, fostering a sense of trust and support.

Is There Anything You Need from the Team or Organization?

Inquiring about the resources or support your employees require can help eliminate barriers to their success. It also demonstrates your willingness to advocate for them within the organisation.

How Do You Feel About Your Work-Life Balance?

Work-life balance is crucial for employee well-being and productivity. This question allows you to gauge their satisfaction and make necessary adjustments to create a healthier work environment.

Are There Any Opportunities for Improvement in Our Team or Processes?

Encouraging feedback can lead to valuable insights for enhancing team dynamics and workflow. It also empowers employees to have a say in the organisation's continuous improvement.

What Are Your Career Aspirations?

Understanding an employee's long-term goals helps you align their development with the company's objectives. It can also guide discussions about potential growth opportunities within the organisation.

How Do You Prefer to Receive Feedback?

Everyone has their feedback preferences. Some may prefer regular check-ins, while others prefer feedback through written communication. Knowing their preference allows you to provide feedback most effectively for them.

What Are Your Thoughts on Our Current Projects or Initiatives?

This question invites employees to share their perspectives on ongoing projects, encouraging a sense of ownership and involvement. It can lead to more innovative ideas and solutions.

Do You Have Any Suggestions for Improving Our One-on-One Meetings?

Feedback isn't a one-way street. By asking for input on your one-on-one meetings, you can better tailor the experience to suit your employee's needs, making the sessions more productive and meaningful.

Your personal 1:1 meetings hub

Create personalised meeting agendas and share notes with participants for deeper connections. Beam is your one-stop shop for organising and managing your 1:1s.

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Using Beam to Create 1:1 Meeting Agenda 

Setting up a one-on-one meeting in Beam is quite simple. Beam users can utilise the "1:1" feature to schedule a meeting with their manager officially.

To initiate the scheduling of your 1:1 meeting, start by clicking the "Schedule 1:1s" option on the 1:1 meeting page. From there, you can choose the participant (Member), select a date and time for the meeting, specify the meeting frequency, and establish any reminder settings. After this, click "Next" to proceed to the Agenda page.

While on the Agenda page, individuals can freely specify the subjects and matters they intend to address in the meeting. Managers, too, can choose to include any of the questions above as central discussion points. 

Furthermore, managers and employees have the discretion to determine whether they want to maintain the confidentiality of the meeting agenda.

After completing the meeting details and agenda, you can conclude the process by clicking "Schedule 1:1.”

Key takeaway

One-on-one meetings are essential for fostering strong working relationships, aligning goals, and enhancing employee engagement. By asking these ten best one-on-one meeting questions, you can create an environment of trust and open communication that addresses immediate concerns and supports long-term growth and development. Remember, the key is actively listening and responding to your employees' answers, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

FAQs

How can a manager engage an unresponsive employee during one-on-one meetings?

Engaging an unresponsive employee during one-on-one meetings requires a blend of empathy, patience, and strategic questioning. A manager can start by creating a safe and open environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts. Expressing genuine concern for the employee's well-being and career aspirations is crucial. Asking open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer can also encourage more dialogue. Additionally, managers should listen actively, showing that they value the employee's input, which can gradually break down barriers to communication.

What follow-up strategies ensure action items from one-on-one meetings are implemented?

Follow-up strategies include setting clear deadlines for action items and scheduling regular check-ins to discuss progress. After a one-on-one meeting, sending a summary email to the employee outlining discussed action items and agreed-upon deadlines is helpful. This not only serves as a reminder but also as a written record of what was agreed upon. Regularly revisiting these action items in subsequent meetings can help maintain momentum and demonstrate the manager's commitment to the employee's development.

How should one-on-one meeting questions be adapted for employees at different career stages?

Adapting one-on-one meeting questions for employees at different career stages involves understanding their unique needs, goals, and challenges. For early-career employees, questions might focus on skill development, learning opportunities, and career aspirations. Mid-career employees might benefit from leadership, impact, and work-life balance discussions. For those later in their careers, conversations could revolve around legacy, mentoring, and possibly retirement planning. Tailoring questions this way helps ensure the discussions are relevant and meaningful.

What common mistakes should managers avoid in one-on-one meetings?

Managers should refrain from dominating the conversation, neglecting to listen actively, and failing to follow up on previous discussions. One-on-one meetings should be employee-centred, allowing them to share their thoughts and concerns. Active listening demonstrates respect and helps managers understand the employee's perspective. Additionally, not following up on action items or discussions from previous meetings can erode trust and signal to the employee that their development is not a priority.

How can technology enhance the effectiveness of one-on-one meetings?

Technology can significantly enhance the effectiveness of one-on-one meetings by facilitating scheduling, documentation, and follow-up. 1:1 meeting tools like Beam can help automate scheduling and document the agenda, next steps, and meeting notes. 

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One-on-one meetings offer a valuable opportunity for managers and employees to connect, align goals, and discuss challenges. However, the quality of these meetings often depends on the questions asked. To help you get the most out of your one-on-one sessions, we've compiled a list of the ten best one-on-one meeting questions to foster meaningful discussions and boost productivity.

Ten Examples of 1:1 Meeting Questions

What Are Your Current Priorities?

Starting with this question allows employees to share their immediate concerns and objectives. It also helps managers gain insight into what's most important to the individual, ensuring that resources and support are allocated appropriately.

How Can I Help You Achieve Your Goals?

This question demonstrates your commitment to your employees' success. It opens the door for them to discuss obstacles they may face and allows you to offer guidance, resources, or mentorship as needed.

What Are Your Biggest Challenges Right Now?

By addressing current challenges, you can identify roadblocks and work collaboratively to find solutions. This question encourages open communication and problem-solving, fostering a sense of trust and support.

Is There Anything You Need from the Team or Organization?

Inquiring about the resources or support your employees require can help eliminate barriers to their success. It also demonstrates your willingness to advocate for them within the organisation.

How Do You Feel About Your Work-Life Balance?

Work-life balance is crucial for employee well-being and productivity. This question allows you to gauge their satisfaction and make necessary adjustments to create a healthier work environment.

Are There Any Opportunities for Improvement in Our Team or Processes?

Encouraging feedback can lead to valuable insights for enhancing team dynamics and workflow. It also empowers employees to have a say in the organisation's continuous improvement.

What Are Your Career Aspirations?

Understanding an employee's long-term goals helps you align their development with the company's objectives. It can also guide discussions about potential growth opportunities within the organisation.

How Do You Prefer to Receive Feedback?

Everyone has their feedback preferences. Some may prefer regular check-ins, while others prefer feedback through written communication. Knowing their preference allows you to provide feedback most effectively for them.

What Are Your Thoughts on Our Current Projects or Initiatives?

This question invites employees to share their perspectives on ongoing projects, encouraging a sense of ownership and involvement. It can lead to more innovative ideas and solutions.

Do You Have Any Suggestions for Improving Our One-on-One Meetings?

Feedback isn't a one-way street. By asking for input on your one-on-one meetings, you can better tailor the experience to suit your employee's needs, making the sessions more productive and meaningful.

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