Questions to Help Managers and Team Members Have Effective 1:1's

What is the most powerful management tool at your disposal? It is not a strategic map, new software, a better pricing model, or a more targeted marketing approach. It is much more basic. It is asking great questions. Truth, an accurate understanding of reality, is the foundation for any good outcome. And asking your manager or your employee questions is the fastest way to uncover what’s really going on. Answers then become conversations about what is most essential and meaningful for the team and the company. And with a little effort, those conversations can be transformed into actions that can impact employee performance and ultimately profitability.

Questions for managers to ask their team members

Morale and culture

Could you describe a good day of work you had recently?
How's the morale around you?
What is one of the favorite parts of your job?
What is one of the least favorite parts of your job?
What are you grateful for this past quarter?
How aligned do you feel to the company's mission and vision?
If you owned the company, what’s one thing you would do differently?

Goals and projects

What is one thing you worked on this past quarter that you are proud of?
What was the main thing standing in the way of hitting your goals and projects this past quarter?
What do you anticipate being the main thing standing in the way of hitting your goals and projects this next quarter?
How can I help you accomplish your projects this next quarter?
Any concerns about the company's strategic projects?

Productivity and teamwork

On a scale of 1-10, how productive have you been? If you wanted to move up one number, what would it take?
What are you spending a ton of time on that is having the least impact?
How well can you rely on your team members? Any suggestions to improve teamwork?
What do you think could help us to improve daily communication?
What's something you need from someone on a different team that you aren't getting?

Learning and growth

What is one new thing you learned this past quarter?
Have you taken any risks lately? What did you learn?
What is one project you would love to focus on for an entire week, but never have the time?
What skill would you like to develop or improve?
Are you crystal clear on your role and what you should be working on? If not, what aspects aren’t clear?

Improving as a manager

How is management doing? Any feedback for me on my leadership?
What's a way I could improve my communication or listening skills?

Questions for team members to ask their manager

Productivity and priorities

What is one thing about the way I get work done that I could improve this next quarter?
What am I sinking too much time into?
What could I focus more time on?
Do my projects for next quarter look right?

Communication

How am I doing proactively communicating?
How could I improve my communication during team meetings?
For you, what is the best way to communicate issues or ideas? In-person? Messaging? Phone? Email?
What can you tell me about the company's strategic projects that might affect my work this next quarter?

Development and advancement

What skills should I improve?
Am I using and growing in my unique ability or primary strength?
What is the career path for my job, and what resources are available to help me move ahead?