If you have worked in a corporate job or even a non-corporate one, you have likely had a "1:1" either as a manager or as a manage'ee. I have had many on both sides. Far more on the side of an "IC" as they call it these days but I have had some as a manager.
Usually, if one asks what the point of the meeting is, the term "feedback", "enablement", "career development", "establish rapport" or some other yuppy term is given. Now we all would like to think that these "sessions" as I like to call them, go smoothly. Feedback is given, careers are furthered, employees are empowered to do their best!
Sadly, this rarely happens. Most often it seems managers try hard to get any kind of feedback. Maybe the employee just talks about how they need a promotion and more money.
This makes me sad because in my opinion, it is one of the most important and impactful times for both the manager, "IC", and company.
Now I take a step back and ask myself, what is the purpose of a 1:1? Like, if we move past the noise, what is actually going on?
First, what is going on in the literal sense?
Two people who work at the same company or organization are going to meet periodically and talk about something.
What are they talking about? Hmmm...if you have had a 1:1, think about what you talked about? Did you talk about cats? dogs? About your favorite local food places? Maybe about how you both love that one song, what was the name?
Now, ok sure, work is usually a big topic where on average more time is spent but not all the time. This is important. We are being literal here. Sometimes these two hypothetical people talk about how damn cute Ken's cat is and sometimes they don't. Now, some may focus on the time about work and others not.
So in the literal sense, these two hypothetical people are going to meet periodically and talk about almost anything.
We can break up the time spent on 1:1s and put them into categories like work, family, pets, etc.
What else is going on? How are these people related? Well, they likely both work at the same company or organization. Hold up,
What is the purpose? I know there are different
Oh gawd. Look, frameworks are great but "GROWTH" sessions