Optimizing Meetings With Your Boss

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Too often, employees show up to their one-on-one with their boss, and they sit and wait to hear what the boss has to say. While there is some value in hearing the top-down communications of senior leaders, the real value is in the two-way dialogue.

To improve these meetings, the first step is to actually have one-on-ones booked with your leader. How much time you need varies on your role, your workload, and your work style. Try starting with 30 minutes weekly and adjusting as necessary. As an employee, a one-on-one may be the only time you get the full attention of your leader. So, you want to use this time wisely by doing the following:

Set an agenda in advance.

Either in an email or in the meeting invite, set out a bulleted list of the things you want to discuss so your leader knows what is top of your mind. This also allows them to prepare in advance, especially if there are issues that need more information collected.

Highlight achievements.

Discuss the things you have completed since the last time you spoke. This will ensure your leader recognizes your achievements, but also, they can have peace of mind that work is getting done and projects are moving along. Document these achievements in your performance management system or form to make year-end evaluations much easier for both of you.

Escalate issues.

Point out where things have yet to be completed or stalled and the reasons why. Your leader can help identify resources and/or prescribe advice on how to work through the problems. Escalating issues also helps your leader identify consistent problems across the team or function that could need wider-scale interventions.

Redetermine priorities.

State what your plan is for the next week or two. Discuss your top priorities, so your leader can provide insight into whether they are aligned. This will also help your leader gain an understanding of whether you have too few or too many things on your plate and help adjust your workload.

Discuss the future.

If there is time, or if it’s appropriate, use the remaining time to discuss the future of the company and how you fit within it. Ask about what is top of mind for the senior leaders and what implications that may have on your own role. Also, discuss any ambitions you have for future roles, what skills you want to develop, and/or what gaps you want to close.

If you aren’t able to accomplish all the points above in the meeting, build in more time. Try to either extend your time or have meetings more frequently. Taking control of your one-on-ones will help you feel more competent in your role and help provide you with a greater purpose within the company.