My boss was late to most of our 1:1s.

He would show up disorganized and unprepared.

Take a guess what our 1:1s looked like... They were also disorganized.

I dreaded them and I'm not alone. 33% of employees dread their 1:1s with their boss.

Don't be *that* boss.

Today I’m sharing a 5-step checklist to help you prepare for your 1:1s. This 5-step prep can be done in 15 minutes tops.

STEP 1: Add a 15-minute meeting reminder to your calendar.

The goal is to give you 15 minutes of undivided focus every week to prepare for your upcoming 1:1. During this time, you're going to review four key areas:

☑️ Your direct report's 1:1 agenda.

☑️ Your notes from last week’s meeting.

☑️ Updates you need to communicate this week.

☑️ Feedback you need to request or give this week. 

STEP 2: Browse your direct report's agenda.

Browsing your direct report’s agenda in advance tells you what's important to your direct report. It gives you an idea of what's occupying their mind. It also helps you better prepare because you have an idea of what your direct report wants to talk about.

If the direct report wants to talk about a specific project. It’s a good idea to prepare questions you want to ask about that particular project. 

💡 If the direct report hasn't added their agenda, please remind them and make sure to add yours.

STEP 3: Scan last week's 1:1 notes for follow-ups:

One practical way to prepare for your 1:1 is by scanning your notes from your previous 1:1 to make sure you haven’t missed anything important.

Most employees get frustrated with forgetful managers. I strongly recommend you start taking notes. This will save you time and immediately improve your 1:1s.

STEP 4: Prepare any major updates that need to be shared.

Think of any major updates that need to be communicated to the direct report. Anything that helps the employee move forward or helps build a better relationship between you two is fair game.

Sharing updates is especially important since most teams are remote. When you share updates on time, you also reduce stress and anxiety and increase certainty and clarity for your employees. Direct reports appreciate it when their managers include them by keeping them in the loop.  

STEP 5: What positive and/or constructive feedback needs to be provided?

Giving and getting feedback is a critical part of 1:1. That means you have to prepare for it. Here’s a prompt to help you prepare:  “What one piece of specific feedback can I share with my employee to help them make progress?"

Here's your 5-step checklist

• Step 1 - Set a 15-minute meeting with yourself.
• Step 2- Scan your direct report's agenda.
• Step 3 - Review your notes from last week.
• Step 4 - Prepare updates you need to communicate this week.
• Step 5- Prep feedback you need to request or give this week.

Most managers show up unprepared for their 1:1s. I don’t want you to make this mistake.

I want you to show up just like the best leaders do. They do their homework and show up prepared.

They don’t wing it.  Now you don't have to either.