A one-on-one template
I have used the same one-on-one template with my last six managers, including other regular check-ins. I am very happy with it! A recent conversation with a friend made me realize I better share the template with the world. If nothing else, I should share it for my own sake - in case I need it again in the future.
The template has given me a lot of structure to my one-on-ones which I previously never had. It has also guided my one-on-ones toward more actionable meetings, focusing on what needs to happen next.
A “one-on-one”, also known as “1-on-1”, “1:1”, “1-1”, or a “check-in”, is a private meeting between two individuals. While part of the template would make sense for a non-recurring one-on-one, you get the most value from it in recurring one-on-ones.
Most commonly one-on-ones are discussed between that of a manager and their report. However, one-on-ones are not just between a manager and a report. It can be regular meetings with anyone, such as skip-level meetings where you talk to your grand boss once in a while, or that regular meeting you have with your team’s product manager.
