One-on-one meetings are essential tools to improve employee engagement and satisfaction. They should be conducted at least once a month to understand the progress of employees on their projects as well as their training and professional development needs.
The “one-on-one” is a management practice originating from the United States, involving an exchange between a manager and an employee. This process promotes the establishment of a climate of trust and closeness between the two parties.
It is a privileged moment for each employee, during which they can discuss important topics in a more in-depth and confidential manner, including their working conditions and expectations towards their employer.
4 tips to engage your employees during one-on-one meetings:
Employee engagement during a one-on-one is essential as they should be able to freely express themselves and clarify their professional expectations. Here are four tips to make these meetings more effective and beneficial for you and your team:
- Prepare one-on-one in advance using an asynchronous session: Preparing for the individual meeting is crucial both to identify the topics to be discussed and to show the employee that you care about their work and contribution. This demonstration of interest promotes stronger engagement during the meeting.
Consider preparing relevant questions regarding professional aspirations, concerns, or areas for improvement for your colleagues. By asking questions, you demonstrate your willingness to understand the employee’s needs and perspectives, thereby strengthening their involvement in the discussion.
To prepare for your one-on-one, Beekast offers an asynchronous session that allows your employee to prepare their topics in advance. This will make the exchange more enriching and effective on the day, optimizing the success of this meeting.
Furthermore, when conducting a meeting in your workplace, it can be beneficial to project the session on a screen to foster interaction and avoid everyone staying behind their screen.
It is important to note that individual meetings can be scheduled on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, depending on the needs. They last between 30 to 45 minutes to delve into all essential aspects of the discussion.
- Promote open and respectful communication: To ensure open communication during your individual meetings, start by assuring the employee that everything discussed will be treated confidentially, except in cases where corrective actions or additional measures are necessary.
Make sure to be warm and friendly right from the beginning of the meeting to create a welcoming environment where the employee feels comfortable and confident to share their concerns and suggestions.
It is essential to demonstrate active listening to your employees by maintaining eye contact and asking relevant questions to deepen the discussion and better understand them. Additionally, when providing feedback, try to formulate constructive comments focused on improvement.
To create a relaxed atmosphere and encourage discussions, feel free to use an icebreaker to break the ice. For example, you can ask your employees to share their “mood of the month” using an image. Each employee will choose an image representing an emotion, feeling, or idea and then share the reason behind their choice. This will open up discussions in a playful and creative way!
To encourage open and constructive communication, our 4L inspiration model is a powerful tool! It allows employees to reflect on key moments of the month or week, sharing both positive aspects and areas for improvement.
By using these two models, you establish a culture of trust and collaboration within your team. By allowing employees to express themselves freely, you enhance work engagement and foster better mutual understanding.
- Establishing clear and realistic goals: This allows employees to understand what is expected of them, feel valued, and focus on achieving results. This approach helps them have a clear vision of the direction to follow, facilitating their professional growth and strengthening their motivation.
Actively involve your employees in goal-setting by encouraging them to express their innovative and creative ideas to contribute meaningfully. Their active participation makes them more invested and engaged as they know their voice matters and has a real influence on the outcomes to be achieved. This enhances their sense of importance and value, motivating them to give their best throughout the process.
Ensure that the set goals are clear, specific, and aligned with the overall vision of the company. When goals are realistic and achievable, taking into account the available skills and resources, it fosters a sense of trust and accomplishment, thereby stimulating intrinsic motivation among employees.
Don’t forget to regularly track the progress of the goals and provide constructive feedback to your employees during your one-on-one meetings. By demonstrating your commitment to their success and showing interest in their personal and professional development, you create an environment conducive to growth and fulfillment.
By implementing these approaches, you empower your employees to feel valued, motivated, and accountable in their work. They realize that their contribution truly matters and that they play a crucial role in achieving the company’s goals!
- Identifying development opportunities: To wrap up the individual meeting on a positive note, don’t forget to address your employee’s professional ambitions. It’s the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your genuine interest in their growth and fulfillment within the company.
In this regard, you can highlight this crucial aspect during the “what I desire” section of the aforementioned 4L inspiration model. By opening the discussion on development opportunities, encourage your employee to express their wishes regarding training and skill improvement.
By doing so, you demonstrate to your employees that you recognize their full potential and are willing to invest in their professional growth. It signifies that you will consider them for promotions or increased responsibilities because you are committed to fostering their advancement within the company.
By discussing the development opportunities desired by your employees during the one-on-one, you demonstrate a genuine commitment to their professional growth. This approach showcases your willingness to support them in their personal and professional fulfillment and strengthens their attachment to the company. Together, you are building a promising future where individual and collective success thrives!
The one-on-one holds great importance both in maintaining a high level of information and strengthening the bonds with your team. That’s why Beekast offers you a customizable one-on-one session model tailored to the needs and roles of your employees.
This model will help you establish regular meetings with your employees, fostering an environment of trust that encourages active listening and open communication. As a result, your employees will feel more engaged and motivated.
Employee engagement can have a positive impact on productivity, talent retention, and company culture. It also helps reduce absenteeism rates and creates an engaged, motivating work environment that promotes professional development. By investing in these individualized exchanges, you foster the growth of your employees and contribute to the overall well-being of your team.
