One-on-One Meetings: Your Secret Weapon as a New Manager

Congratulations, you’re officially a manager—and now you’re responsible for actual humans. Enter the one-on-one meeting: the unsung hero of leadership tools. Done right, these meetings can help you build trust, uncover issues early, and actually connect with your team. Done wrong? Well, they can feel like awkward speed dates with no real point.

Here’s how to make them work (without feeling like you’re winging it):

1. Set a Consistent Schedule

One-on-ones aren’t “optional” or “when I have time.” They’re the foundation of your leadership. Pick a recurring time, stick to it, and treat it like a priority—not something you’ll reschedule five times this month.

2. Come Prepared

Both of you should show up ready. Use my free One-on-One Meeting Template to structure your agenda. It’s designed to help you cover updates, challenges, goals, and feedback—without veering into “So…how’s it going?” territory.

3. Focus on Them

This isn’t your time to dominate the conversation. Ask open-ended questions like, “What’s going well?” or “What’s one thing I can do to support you better?” Then actually listen.

4. Follow Up

A great one-on-one doesn’t end when the meeting does. Make sure you follow through on action items and check in on what was discussed. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds great teams.

Starting one-on-ones might feel awkward at first, but they’re worth it. With a little prep and my free One-on-One Meeting Template, you’ll feel more confident—and your team will feel more supported. Download it now and make your next meeting a win!

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.