Term: 1:1 Meetings

What Are 1:1 Meetings?

1:1 meetings are regular, private conversations between a manager and an employee focused on performance, priorities, challenges, development, feedback, and support.

Unlike a meeting focused only on immediate tasks, a 1:1 provides dedicated time for managers and employees to discuss how work is going, what the employee needs, and what actions should happen next.

Why Are 1:1 Meetings Important?

Effective 1:1 meetings can help organizations:

• Keep employees aligned with priorities and goals
• Identify challenges before they become larger issues
• Provide regular feedback and coaching
• Discuss employee development and career growth
• Strengthen manager-employee relationships
• Improve accountability and follow-through
• Understand employee concerns and needs

What Can Be Discussed in a 1:1 Meeting?

Topics can vary depending on the employee and situation, but may include:

• Priorities and Progress – What is being accomplished and what needs attention.
• Challenges – Obstacles affecting performance or progress.
• Feedback – What is working well and what could improve.
• Development – Skills, behaviors, and capabilities the employee wants or needs to develop.
• Career Growth – Future responsibilities and potential career opportunities.
• Action Items – Specific commitments and follow-up actions.

1:1 Meetings and Employee Development

Regular 1:1 meetings can turn employee development into an ongoing conversation rather than an annual activity.

Managers can use these conversations to review development goals, discuss progress, provide coaching, and agree on the next actions needed to support the employee’s growth.

1:1 Meetings at MyTalentPlanner

MyTalentPlanner incorporates 1:1 meetings into its broader talent and execution approach, connecting conversations with employee development, performance, goals, and accountability.

Its OaaS approach uses AI to assist with recurring 1:1 development work, including helping structure conversations, capture insights, and support follow-through on development actions. This allows leaders to spend less time on administrative work and more time on meaningful conversations and decisions.

1:1 Meetings for SMBs

For small and midsize businesses, regular 1:1 meetings give managers a consistent way to stay connected with employees as teams grow.

When conversations are connected to development, performance, goals, and action plans, 1:1s can become an important part of building stronger teams and keeping employees aligned with business priorities.