How to Make Your 1:1s Truly Effective

How to Make Your 1:1s Truly Effective

Regular 1:1 meetings are essential for aligning on goals, removing blockers, and supporting career growth. Most teams miss this opportunity because conversations stay vague or irregular. To level up your 1:1s, schedule them at least once a month - and ideally bi-weekly - and don’t cancel unless absolutely necessary.

A crucial rule often highlighted in leadership literature is that a 1:1 primarily serves the team member, not the manager. It is not a status meeting, but a dedicated space for open discussion about progress, challenges, expectations, and development. While the manager is responsible for structure and outcomes, giving the employee meaningful ownership over discussion topics helps surface real issues, increases engagement, and builds trust.

Start each meeting with a shared agenda that covers operational topics (projects and priorities), development areas (such as annual goals), and potential blockers. Using a shared framework - like Matricsy’s competency matrix - makes expectations visible and mutually understood, rather than subjective. During the call, you can walk through the matrix together and update goals by marking progress as Early Progress, Advanced Progress, or Done.

A strong 1:1 should always end with a clear summary. Sharing written notes after the meeting reduces the risk of misunderstandings. If something feels unclear, a simple but powerful practice is to ask the other person to repeat the summary in their own words - this ensures alignment and uncovers hidden gaps in understanding.

Finally, use 1:1s to connect day-to-day work with long-term growth, define clear next steps, and assign ownership. When run consistently and supported by clear structures and shared language, 1:1s become a powerful tool for alignment, development, and long-term engagement.