[thenerdhead]

Here's some tips to better 1:1s on-top of what the article mentions:

- If you're a direct manager in the 1:1, it is your job to take notes. Period.

- 1:1s are business meetings about results, and sometimes personal matters are discussed.

- If you have role power, you need to be cautious with what you say during a 1:1. People will take things literally.

- Agendas should be simple. 10 minutes you, 10 minutes me, 10 minutes for the future. Most important thing first, always.

- To start a 1:1, make a statement or a question, sometimes the small talk is not wanted or dreaded. "How's it going", "How are you", "How are things" are all valid.

- Don't come with an agenda to a 1:1. People hate not being able to contribute.

- If you setup 1:1s as a tool to get to know the team members you work with regularly, follow a simple 15 minutes you, 15 minutes me type of deal. (Especially if you're a PM, TPM, or EM working with another discipline)

[pc86]

It's interesting to me how many people have diametrically opposed views of what a 1:1 should be. Business meetings / status updates vs. personal discussion. Structured agenda vs. no agenda. Weekly vs. biweekly vs. monthly. Etc.

[thenerdhead]

Yeah, you can definitely go the Andy Grove approach or even try to become your direct's friend(don't really recommend). Personally I think 1:1s are being used wastefully and have become the industry norm so people put up with them.

[avel]

Agendas should be simple, or should I not come with an agenda at all?

An agenda, either shared with the other person or not, is fine. I'd rather have a meeting with agenda / talking points rather than one without. It doesn't prevent people from being able to contribute, as long as you don't monopolize your part.

[thenerdhead]

I meant that there should be no agenda set. Each person should come with their own topics. Sorry about that. It’s not fair when say a boss wants a status update when you want to talk about career growth for example.