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Run one-to-ones your team look forward to
A simple, repeatable agenda for regular one-to-ones, tailored questions for each person and a short record of what you both agreed.
When to use it
Before each regular one-to-one
Step by step
Book a regular slot
Set a recurring Google Calendar event, such as 30 minutes every fortnight, with each team member, and attach a shared Google Doc for notes.
Get an agenda and questions
Paste this prompt into your AI assistant.
Prompt to copyCreate a 30-minute one-to-one agenda for me (a manager at a [type of business]) and a [role] who has been with us [time]. What I know: recent wins [wins], current challenges [challenges], their goals [goals]. Include: a 5-minute check-in, their topics first, progress on goals, one development question, any feedback both ways, and agreed actions. Suggest 6 open questions I could rotate over the next few months, such as about workload, learning and what support they need. Supportive tone, British English.Let them add topics first
Paste the agenda into the shared doc a couple of days before and ask them to add what they'd like to talk about at the top.
Record actions together
At the end, write down two or three agreed actions with names and dates in the doc, so you can check them next time.
What you get
Agenda, 14 May: 1. How are things? (5 min) 2. Ellis's topics: training budget, Friday cover 3. Goal: lead the stock count, on track 4. Question: 'What would make next month easier?' 5. Feedback both ways. Actions: Ellis books first-aid course by 31 May; I sort Friday cover rota.
Tips
- Keep one-to-ones even when you're busy; cancelling them often sends the wrong message.
- Keep notes respectful and factual, as the team member can see them and may ask for them later.