The latest articles on Forem by Vanessa Gomes (@vanessagl2). https://forem.com/vanessagl2 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F435786%2F3caaab2f-e970-4bde-a051-a79f55202524.jpeg https://forem.com/vanessagl2 en Vanessa Gomes Fri, 11 Sep 2020 21:44:21 +0000 https://forem.com/vanessagl2/demystifying-1-1-meetings-mof https://forem.com/vanessagl2/demystifying-1-1-meetings-mof <p><a href="https://medium.com/@vanessagl2/desmistificando-o-famoso-1-1-ca056cf75d6d">Click here for a BR-Portuguese version of the article</a> <br> <br><br> During my conversations with colleagues who also work in Tech companies I noticed that "1:1" meetings have been a practice that teams are pursuing more and more. I have been played a Tech Lead role for the past three years and I talk about this topic because this has been a consistent practice on the teams I've been.<br> <br><br> 1:1s can be used as a tool in many different situations and because of that many people ask:</p> <ul> <li>What's a 1:1?</li> <li>Who should schedule this type of meeting?</li> <li>What should I talk about there?</li> <li>At which frequency I should be scheduling those?</li> </ul> <p>Traditionally. 1:1s are meetings between two people and are a space where they will share performance evaluation, improvement feedback or salary review. </p> <p>I'll bring some insights based on my experience as both a Software Developer as well as being a Technical Lead who had a ton of 1:1 meetings. I believe these tips can help not only people who are on a team where this practice is encouraged but also those who want to begin having 1:1s but don't know how to start.<br> <br></p> <h2> I'm going to schedule a 1:1 but I don't know what to talk about. Is there a specific format? </h2> <p>Essentially you can talk about anything. There isn't an ideal model as it all depends on how people will feel more comfortable to start sharing with each other. </p> <p>Some common topics to have a conversation about it can be performance, feedback space, expectations setting and alignment and any personal development topics.</p> <p>Always try to bring feedback to the other person: acknowledge and reinforce what they do well, good behaviours and practices and also bring improvement opportunities about each other. </p> <p>It's important to notice that your 1:1 meeting format may vary depending on how long you and the other person have been on the same team.<br> <br></p> <blockquote> <p>Insight: <em>let people know about the areas you want to grow on, where are you heading on your career and which areas you would appreciate receiving feedback about</em></p> </blockquote> <h3> Suggestions for when you are both on the team for a while now </h3> <p>If you and the other person have been working together and are familiar with each other, consider some topics that include: </p> <ul> <li>Current an upcoming challenges</li> <li>Mutual vision on what's going well on the team</li> <li>What's not going well, boring situations, bad practices</li> <li>Give each other Feedback</li> <li>Interesting opportunities on the project</li> </ul> <blockquote> <p>Tech lead insight: <em>schedule recurring 1:1s with the people from your team. Talk about people performance and also share challenges and opportunities that might be interesting to the teammate.</em> </p> </blockquote> <h2> To be continued... </h2> <p>I hope this small guideline already helps you kicking-off some interesting conversations on your team.</p> <p>In the next texts I will share some more insights for other types of 1:1s, for example when you have new members on the team. </p> <p>See you there!</p> agile productivity career leadership