One-on-One (1:1) Meetings

1:1 meetings between a developer and their manager are sacred in our organization. They provide a dedicated space for individualized focus, feedback, and planning, and ensure both the manager and the employee feel heard, understood, and valued.

Characteristics of Good 1:1s:

Predictable Scheduling: We believe in establishing a routine for our 1:1s. Regular schedules, like our standard 25-minute sessions every two weeks, allow both parties to be prepared and set the right expectations.

Confidentiality and Privacy: All discussions in 1:1 meetings are confidential. This safe space allows for candid conversations, fostering trust and mutual respect between managers and team members.

Action-Oriented: 1:1s are a chance for a manager and a team member to connect and be heard, yes, but they are also the place to plan developer growth plans, process improvements, and client or project challenges. Action items discussed in 1:1s should make tangible progress toward an agreed-upon goal.

Personal & Professional Growth: These meetings allow for a deeper connection, where both parties can discuss professional aspirations, challenges, and successes. They are also an opportunity to delve into personal well-being and how it impacts work.

What We Talk About in 1:1s

1. Review of Previous Meeting: A look back at what was discussed in the last meeting, ensuring follow-ups and continuity.

2. Current Meeting Agenda: Addressing what needs to be discussed in the current session.

3. Professional Development: Charting paths for growth, training opportunities, and skill acquisition.

4. Feedback Mechanism: Offering constructive feedback and receiving the same. This is bi-directional, ensuring both parties grow from the process.

5. Team Dynamics: Addressing any friction in team processes or relationships and working out ways to enhance team synergy.

Accessing or Adding to a 1:1 Agenda

We use KnowYourTeam as our primary tool for 1:1 collaboration. Both parties can proactively add topics, questions, and document takeaways. It also provides a reservoir of topic ideas, ebooks, and webinars for added inspiration.

The 1:1 calendar invite should have a direct link to the KnowYourTeam page where participants can draft or access the agenda.

What We Avoid in 1:1s

1:1s are not the place for routine project updates. Questions like “What’s the status on Project X?” are better suited for project discussions or retrospectives.

Debugging or code review should not be a part of 1:1s. Such activities should be conducted in dedicated pairing sessions.

Duration of 1:1s

While we have a standard time for our 1:1s (usually 30 minutes), it is perfectly okay for them to be shorter based on the topics at hand. If all pressing issues are addressed quickly, it can simply be a quick check-in.

Starting and Ending a 1:1

Every 1:1 should start with the manager asking, “Is there anything that is not on today’s agenda that you would like to discuss?”. Similarly, each 1:1 should end with the manager asking, “Is there anything you would like me to try to get done for you before our next meeting?”.

Additional Tips

Calendar Invites: Name the invites clearly, for instance, “1:1 Employee + Manager”, so it’s easy to identify at a glance.

Extended Leaves: If an employee is on an extended leave, managers are encouraged to schedule optional check-ins to stay connected. The frequency and mode can be decided based on mutual convenience.

Remember, 1:1s at Planet Argon are meant to foster connection and growth. Use this time wisely to build a relationship with your manager and develop roadmaps for individual and company success.