Meetings are funny old things. The cost to US business alone of unproductive meetings is $37 billion annually. There’s even an annual National Boycott A Meeting Day. And who hasn’t clock-watched through a brainstorm, wondering how soon they can get back to real work?
But when it comes to 1-2-1 meetings with the boss, employees are much more likely to see the value. In fact, 89% want to meet with their manager on at least a monthly basis, citing as the key benefits goal setting and reviewing, the opportunity to get performance-related feedback, and being able to brainstorm solutions to and solicit support with workplace problems.
In our webinar How to get more out of your 1-2-1s (log in to listen back), everywoman expert Pippa Isbell shares her golden rules for ensuring that your manager catch-up serves you brilliantly.
1. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR OWN 1-2-1
Discover more tips on running your 121 agenda in the workbook Making the most of your 1-2-1s (for employees)
The biggest 1-2-1 gripe among more than six in ten everywomanNetwork members is that the conversation feels one-sided in favour of the boss. The solution is to own the agenda. Schedule in time each week to think through what it would be really beneficial to share and discuss – the information you want to pass on and the questions you want to ask. If you’ve an established 1-2-1 routine in which your boss currently controls the agenda, suggest that you take over. “Few bosses will turn down an opportunity to get something off their plates,” says Pippa Isbell. Just make sure your manager still has an opportunity to feed into the discussion points.
2. PUT YOUR STRENGTHS AND TALENTS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
“In reporting back – in a non-boasting way – you’re actually saying to your boss ‘Look what I’ve achieved’ and that sends a message that you’re confident, in control and in charge.”
By owning your 1-2-1, you send a clear message to your boss that you’re confident and in charge of your career. The opportunity to drive home your value doesn’t end there: your catch up shouldn’t involve telling the boss everything you’ve done since you last spoke, but by sharing some choice cuts, you can elevate your own position and that of your team. Think about what facts, figures and insights would most interest your boss and put these at the top of your agenda.
3. CLARIFY YOUR WORKLOAD
Does your boss drop last-minute tasks on your desk when your to-do list is already full to bursting? Or perhaps they give juicy projects to a colleague when you’ve plenty of capacity to take on an interesting stretch assignment? Whatever your current workload, your 1-2-1 is the opportunity to share details with the boss, so that they’re aware of what you can and cannot take on now and next.4. BECOME A JUNIOR PARTNER IN YOUR MANAGER RELATIONSHIP
“Becoming a junior partner in your relationship with your boss is to create the best possible manager/delegate relationship.”
Switch your mindset so that you begin to think of yourself as a junior partner in your relationship with your boss, and you’ll inevitably see your relationship go from strength to strength. Assert yourself, share your opinions and ideas, seize opportunities to brainstorm and collaborate in a way that sets a more level playing field in how you work together. If this notion is far removed from your current relationship status, take steps towards a partnership by asking your boss about their goals and objectives and how they can be better aligned with your own. Frame the request in a way that shows you want to better support them in a way that will make them even more successful.
