How to Run a 1:1 in a Startup

I've been at small companies, large companies, public companies, and now a rapidly growing startup. Running a 1:1 is the same in each of those companies. After reading hundreds of articles on "the art of a 1:1" and using 10+ software tools over the years, I've come to learn there are only a few key elements that drive a successful 1:1.

Accountability

Accountability extends to both sides of the aisle. As a manager, skipping meetings, not being prepared, and showing a lack of attention and focus to your 1:1 is a hard no. Managers should:

1. Prepare a list of questions for each 1:1 that you can ask and monitor the changes in results week over week.
2. Ask the questions well in advance so your reports can answer them in advance of your call so you can dig into the core of the content.

For example, great questions can be "how can I help unblock your work," "are there any obstacles you are facing on a weekly basis."

You should ask questions that are critical from a managerial perspective to have your reports operating smoothly, but you should also have a question in there where you ask what your reports want to discuss. As a manager, you might find your employee has excellent ideas about the work environment or business itself that you were missing.

Consistency

• Run your 1:1’s weekly
• Send your questions out in advance of your in-person or zoom meeting
• Review the answers to the questions before your meeting and have key talking points well prepped
• This will show your report that you care, look out for their career progression, and want them to succeed

Actionable items

• Make sure there are takeaways from both the report and the manager
• Make sure the action items make themselves back into the 1:1 for next week
• Please note whether the action items were completed or not\
• Follow up here, accountability is key

What should the content of your 1:1’s include:

1. Emotional Check-Ins

One of the questions should always be, how do you feel. You can break this down as simply or as complex as needed, but there should always be a 1-10 (how do you feel) one way or another. 

Since covid began, employees who come into the office could feel unnecessary pressure to do so, employees who work from home could be feeling fatigued and or isolated. There could be feelings of dissatisfaction that could be directly related to the job or external factors at home, personal life, etc., that could be affecting your reports work. The key is to be there for the person and make sure they can FEEL COMFORTABLE and perform at their best. 

2. Career Progression

Some say happiness is progress. If that is the case, it's a manager's job to make sure all employees are put in a position where they can move up in the company if they over-perform. Ian Siegel, CEO of ZipRecruiter, always says you should never promote someone who wants to be in that role or title, you should promote someone who is already doing the job. 

Be attentive to your employees and what they want out of the company. Help them map out a clear plan for their next promotion, so no ambiguity is left on the table. Ambiguity and uncertainty on career path lead to searching for other jobs and potentially churn. If they cannot move up, the easiest way is out in a world where the average turnover is less than two years, the easiest path is out.‍

Assembly can bring all of your 1:1 functionality into one platform. If you find it difficult to send the 1:1 questions to your reports each week, Assembly can automate sending your 1:1 questions in advance and hold both you, the manager, and your direct report accountable. Please see below for an example of how you can automate the sending of your pre-loaded questions:

On top of the accountability, you can review the answers to the questions before the meeting and come prepared to get right into the heart of what your direct report wants to discuss. When you come to the meeting prepared to help your direct report succeed, your employee will know you care, and you paid attention to their feedback and personal goals.

All of the results will show up in one centralized location, so you don't have to go to ANOTHER TOOL to find what your report has been saying:

To learn more feel free to watch this video on how to set up a 1:1 and automate your routine with Assembly.

Should you have any questions and or want to learn more, feel free to book a demo here.