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I often feel that way, I have to meet with a manager and there's not always much to talk about it. But it's part of the kabuki theater of corporate life, we come together and play our parts and things then proceed smoothly. In fairness, sometimes it's a good opportunity to bring something up that may need to be adjusted. But it does usually feel like role playing.
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Absolutely, of course there are times when I need to bring up points, but I almost wish it wasn't every single month as it feels like a bit of a waste of time. Mine also aren't with my manager either, it is with a life coach
I meet with mine but we’re both in the same position of not really looking to promote anymore. So we just chat about stuff, some business, some personal, but we both know we don’t need a development chat anymore.
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Very similar to mine, mine are with a life coach instead of my manager, so sometimes we chat about personal things too as they 100% can affect work life too.
They are mandatory whether we need them or not, and completely unnecessary 90% of the time. Thankfully, my boss completely agrees so there is no need for me to fill that time with BS. We joke, we gossip, we talk about our lives. It's a nice little break from work.
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Oh that's quite nice actually! Funny thing is, my 1-1s aren't with my boss! They are with a life coach, so sometimes it seems a bit of wasted time, other times I can use it as a little therapy session :D
Yeah I think I often feel pressure in 1-1s to talk about goals just to fill the space, even when I’m content where I am. Sometimes maintaining what’s working should be enough, and that’s okay too. Not everyone’s chasing the next ladder rung at every moment.
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Absolutely! Some people are at different stages in their lives and sometimes I feel bad for not wanting to climb up the corporate ladder!
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I’d say most of mine are necessary because of all the moving pieces involved in my routine projects. However, sometimes our 1:1s just turn into an hour long gossip session, which I feel has its own benefits as well.
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Sometimes talking about personal life is really great though as you don't realise how much it can affect your work life! I just wish mine weren't so often! They seem to come around so fast and nothing has changed since my last one ahah
Not at all. I actually hate our 1:1s so much because management literally looks to find a problem when there isn't one. Something always needs to be improved, KPIs can always be enhanced... and a common discussion point is where do you think we're falling short. Not how far we've come.
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Oh that sounds awful! It's so easy to always say when things are wrong and not praise people on the things that have been going well. A long time of that is bound to get you down!
I can see the value of having the occasional one on one. Maybe once a month or once every other week so seems like a lot, but it’s fine. I have to meet with my manager for an hour each week and we spend half the time trying to think of what to talk about. It is unnecessary and I could just be doing my work.
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Mine are only once a month and I still feel they are too much! :D However, mine are not with my manager, they are with a life coach
Use the time to fill in your manager about what you’re working on, and ask questions. Keep notes during the week of what you want to discuss. Fill in your manager on conversations or meetings you had with others. Ask what to prioritize. And yes, we enjoy personal chitchat. We are all topped out in our roles and ineligible for promotions so it’s not about that.
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Annoyingly, my 1-1's aren't with my manager, they are with a life coach. So they really are great for people who are struggling a bit / feel overwhelmed with work. And one day I may find them really useful, but at the moment I just feel I say the same things each time!
As someone who does them with my team, I only do them if one of my direct reports thinks they need one, or I feel like there is something I need to discuss with them. I used to do them every week but most o my team didn't feel like they were necessary.
Yeah I feel like it’s just extra pressure where it isn’t necessary but don’t know how to communicate that I don’t think they’re necessary?
My 1:1 are strictly about work and I end up with more work than I went in with unfortunately .