How do you conduct a monthly one on one meeting with your employees?
Sarah Garza
Updated on February 20, 2026
Here are ten tips for having motivating and meaningful one-on-ones:
- Get it on the Calendar. Make your one-on-one meetings a recurring event and make them a priority.
- Have A Plan.
- Focus on Them.
- Celebrate Wins.
- Focus on the Future, not the Past.
- Specify Desired Results.
- Focus on Strengths.
- Ask Good Questions.
What do you say when you meet new colleagues?
Should you find yourself stuck on how to best spark a conversation with a new colleague, consider these easy and effective conversation starters:
- Ask for help.
- Offer to help.
- Ask about the weekend.
- Discuss popular culture.
- Bring up current events.
- Keep your pulse on industry news.
- Learn more about the area.
What is the purpose of a one on one meeting?
A 1-1 is a dedicated space on the calendar and in your mental map for open-ended and anticipated conversation between a manager and an employee. Unlike status reports or tactical meetings, the 1-1 meeting is a place for coaching, mentorship, giving context, or even venting.
How do I tell my colleagues I have remote access?
Here are some tips for getting to know your coworkers when you start a new job remotely.
- Set up virtual ‘coffees’ to meet your coworkers one-on-one.
- Strike a balance between professionalism and friendly conversation.
- If you feel comfortable, share personal tidbits that could become points of connection.
What do you talk about at a meet and greet?
The 1:1 meeting is also a time to develop a personal relationship….A good manager knows what really matters to an employee outside of work.
- How are you?
- What have you been doing for fun lately?
- How is your family?
- What vacation plans do you have coming up?
How do you greet a new coworker?
Greeting. Make eye contact, smile and extend your hand for a handshake. You could say “Hello,” “Hi” or “Good Morning” and introduce yourself. Let the person know that you are new at the company, state your title and give a brief explanation of what you will be doing.
What not to talk about with coworkers?
10 Topics to Avoid Discussing at Work
- Politics/Current Events.
- Religion.
- Co-Worker, Manager and Work Leadership Problems.
- Family Problems.
- Financial Problems.
- Relationship Issues.
- Health Issues.
- Controversial Hobbies and Involvements.
How do you do a 1-on-1 meeting?
Write things down
- The single most important thing about 1:1 meetings is sitting together on a regular basis.
- Coming prepared to a meeting makes the 1:1 go smoothly.
- Once you’ve finished your meeting, summarizing the most important outcomes and sharing them with the other person helps eliminate misunderstandings.
What do you discuss in a 1-on-1 manager?
1-on-1 agendas should be collaborative, managers should encourage direct reports to share what they would like to discuss. Common topics can include current goals and their progress, recent feedback, recognition, mid and end of year performance review reports, career aspirations, etc.
How to win over co-workers and influence meetings?
Kim and Rudin discovered that several words corresponded to whether an attendee’s proposed idea was ultimately accepted. Yeah: The researchers said they were initially surprised that saying “yeah” was so persuasive, but they hypothesized that “framing a suggestion as an agreement with a previous suggestion increases its chances of being accepted.”
How to tell if one of your coworkers is toxic?
Here’s how to tell if one or more of your coworkers are toxic: 1. They lead the meeting after the meeting. You have a meeting. Issues are raised. Concerns are shared. Decisions are made. Everyone in attendance fully support those decisions. Things are going to happen. Then someone holds the “meeting after the meeting.”
How often should you have one on one meetings with employees?
Sit down with your employees every 6 months (or more frequently) to review their roles and responsibilities, and clarify or update where needed. Approach these conversations as discussions about career development from a more long-term perspective.
How to stop your coworker from setting the agenda?
Act, don’t react. Don’t sit around and wait for your coworker to set the agenda. Right now you’re reacting to what she does, instead of taking control of what you do. Speak to your boss directly. Ask him what you need to do to be promoted. Then shut up and listen to what he has to say.