[jasonthorsness]

There are multiple kinds of 1:1s (career, project/work coaching, etc.). It's worth understanding what your manager thinks they are about and suggesting to your manager what you think a given meeting should be about. Personally, I find the overly structured approach too formal and it's more effective to limit the agenda to a short list of important topics but listed/agreed upon ahead of time (many people, both managers and not, are not comfortable diving into topics "on the spot" without some time to think to themselves about it first). One thing that should always be covered is whether there's anything your manager could do to facilitate your work. It's in both of your interests to make you as efficient as possible.