09 Aug How EFFECTIVE Are Your Employee One-on-Ones?
One-On-One connects with employees is essential and should not be rushed. Spending those 30 minutes gives insights which one is not aware of on a usual day at work. Hence, it is essential to regularly connect with the employee. Such connects not only help understand the pulse on the floor but also understand the individual better.
In today’s internet age, we all are just a call away or chat away from each other. But, a face-to-face connect is always more effective than a conversation over the telephone. Apart from building a rapport with the employee, it also demonstrates that the organisation values and cares about them.
It is important that the employee opens up to you and discusses matters which have going well and those which is a challenge professionally. However, time is an essence to all and these connects can sometimes go on for more than an hour. Hence, it is very important to keep a track of time and structure them to get the best out of these conversations.
Here are a few tips to get the most out of these meetings:
Blocking CALENDAR for these connects:
The frequency of these one-on-ones vary depending on the size of the team, how big or small the organisation is, how high-maintenance or experienced the employees are, and your position in the Organisation chart. Scheduling recurring meeting and sending out invites to the employees make them aware that they have a standing meeting. It helps them come prepared and they are less likely to barrage you with a “constant stream of interruptions.” Always be on time and if your current meeting extends, always send out a note to the employee. Last but not the least, never cancel last minute meetings.
Be PREPARED:
Before you set the meeting, always be prepared with the agenda for the conversation. It helps save time and restricts the conversation to diverge. If there are any open items to be discussed, collaborate on the next meeting.
Be ATTENTIVE:
It is very important to be highly attentive in these meetings. One has to be a good listener. Turn off or mute your phone, so as not to risk being distracted and making the employee feel less important.
Go POSITIVE:
Whenever you meet an employee for a one-on-one conversation, always begin the conversation on a positive note – an achievement, a recent award, or a compliment from her manager which you were aware of. It helps in getting the conversation started on a positive note.
CAREER Progression:
Although these meetings are to solve problems or issues highlighted by the employee, never neglect the professional growth aspect of the employee. It is very important for them to believe that their career growth is equally important to you.
Express GRATITUDE:
At the end of the meeting, always express your gratitude towards the employee for taking out time and having a detailed conversation with you. Meetings should always end on a positive note – just like the beginning.
