Do you find yourself cancelling 1:1 meetings because you and your team are just too busy? Bobbie LaPorte has been there, and she gets it. But she also knows that real leadership happens in these meetings. Watch her September 11 “Calling the Game” video for some practical tips on ways to carve out time and build human connections that will benefit you, your employees, and your organization.
Creating Meaningful 1:1 Connections Beyond Status Updates
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
I’ve lost count of the number of times a client has told me that their regular 1:1 meeting with their manager was canceled – again. These meetings – ones that I feel are critical to building trusting, productive relationships – often seem to go by the wayside. And this is at a time when focusing on the human connection with your team is more important than ever.
But, the increasing demands and pressure to deliver that leaders are facing often result in focusing on business deliverables, and that creates a lack of empathy and trust that employees experience with their managers.
So, how do you strike a balance between delivering results and fulfilling your commitment as a leader to build a meaningful connection with your team members?
Building 1:1 Team Connection
Let’s break this down and see how to make this less burdensome and more enjoyable. Here are three things to consider:
- What is your goal for these meetings? Regular status updates can be done by email; deep dives into current projects should have meetings dedicated just to that. 1:1 meetings are different. They are opportunities to get to know your team better, to understand what’s happening with them, and how you can support them.
- What’s the cadence for these meetings? Many of my clients have moved to every other week 1:1s. Ask your team members what works best for them. They want this to work for them, as well.
- Once you establish a plan for your 1:1s – timing, purpose, outcomes – stick to it. If you have to cancel or move a meeting, offer to have a quick catch-up soon so your team member is reassured that these meetings are important to you and that you value their time.
Real leadership can happen in these 1:1s, where you and your team member team connect as people, not as boss and employee. Make it a demonstration of your leadership and a time you both look forward to.
I have a doc called “Bobbie’s Top 10 Tips for 1:1 Meetings with Your Manager.” Shoot me an email at bobbie@bobbielaporte.com if you’d like a copy for inspiration.
OK, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” Hope this helps you gear up for a great week and navigate any curveballs that may come your way!
Related Post → Time for a Mindset Shift in How You Think About 1:1s