1:1s starting questions
Problem
You want to start a first 1:1 with your report and you don’t know how to kick it off.
Solution
Lara Hogan posted in 2016 a list of manager questions which are great openers for first meeting with the report. Here they are:
**Grumpiness**
1. What makes you grumpy?
1. How will I know when you’re grumpy?
1. How can I help you when you’re grumpy?
**Feedback & Recognition**
1. How do you like feedback - the medium (IRC, email, in person, etc.)
1. How do you like feedback - routine like in 1:1s, or as-it-happens
1. How do you prefer to receive recognition? (public or private)Please read Lara’s short post to understand the reasoning behind them and 7 more questions that could be asked.
Why do I recommend this
I used this template multiple times. “Grumpiness” works like a “disarm-key” - immediately shifts focus on the employee, changing narrative for future 1:1s. Having the answers on the back of my mind I was sometimes able to notice subtle signals I would otherwise ignore. “Feedback & Recognition” allows you to adjust to preferences you could wrongly assume. All in all this is a low effort exercise which pays off quickly.