1:1s done better
Batko OS - 1:1 Upgrader Template for quality conversations
3 years later, people still keep coming up to me that they loved and are using the 1:1 template I provided back in 2020.
Unfortunately, since, I made a truckload of mistakes as a manager.
Fortunately, I’ve grown, reflected, adjusted and…
Most fortunately, I’ve got a new 1:1 template to share with you 😱❤️🔥
Great 1:1s
The worst meetings are a lot of fluff, have no depth, no agenda, no clear outcomes, just rehash everything you already knew and lack any conscious preparation.
Trust me, you probably hate them just as much as your direct report or manager.
“The point of the meeting is not a reporting update, the point is to get into hairy existential exercises in the business.”
The best 1:1s (imo) provide the full context upfront, step out of the day-to-day and allow for deep transformational conversations.
Async is for sharing information - slack, email.
Sync is for quality conversations - meeting.
Side Note: Asyncbrain is the exception for making decisions without the meetings (W23 Startmate founder).
How does it work?
Create the template - see Notion template below
Direct Report fills out 1:1 Upgrader + sends to manager day before the meeting
Manager fill out 1:1 Upgrader + comments with questions, approvals or prompts
Catch up and dive straight into the deepest conversations
The magic is in (1) the right questions and (2) the preparation.
Note: the template is $9.99 and all proceeds go to charity ❤️🔥
The 1:1 Upgrader
We have a shared “Notion List”, where you hit “New” and it pops up a new template page with the below questions.
They are the same for every 1:1.
🏆 WINS
What went well / was a highlight last week?
» It is so easy to go straight into the problems and all the things that aren’t working. This is a nice moment to reflect on what went well. It also allows you to celebrate the wins together and learn what matters most to your managee.
💫 UPDATES
Last week I said I would + this is how I progressed:
» accountability and a check-in to understand the blockers
This upcoming week will be successful if:
» focus and align on what’s important
🏆 MY PRIORITIES
» This will have some overlap with the above, but if you’re anything like Startmate, I can guarantee you most people will have more than 3 Top Priorities. This allows your direct report to capture all their priorities.
» It is a great way to go through the priorities together and drag and drop them together.
» It will allow you to clearly align on what is truly most important and what can be deprioritised.
🚧 ROADBLOCKS, CONCERNS & ITEMS NEEDING INPUT:
» Bullet points as an opportunity to raise problems, concerns, get the quick input, approvals or discussions to get unblocked quickly
🏔 ONE BIG TOPIC
Choose one topic that you'd like to discuss in more depth.
This can be anything on your mind ie future direction of the company, team or your development, more info from me, brainstorming of new ideas, replaying a situation that just happened to talk through it together etc
Role you would like me to play (tick the box that applies)
[ ] Brainstorm together
[ ] Give me feedback
[ ] Hear me out
[ ] Solve this for me
Question/Topic
[Describe situation / topic / question]
» This is my favourite section. It allows the managee and/or manager to bring a situation or problem to the table to talk through together. You don’t always have something in here, but when you do these are the most worthwhile conversations.
⭐️ MY DEVELOPMENT
My Top 3 Development Areas
(these stay consistent)
Growth Area #1
Growth Area #2
Growth Area #3
What have I done in the last week to develop?
» It is SOOO easy to get absorbed in the minutiae of the day-to-day and forget your own development.
What is the next smallest step I’ll take to grow?
» I love this question as often growth areas can be overwhelming, by asking about the “next smallest step” you make it less scary and more achievable to progress and not get stuck.
🚀 FEEDBACK
From Manager to Managee
What I liked:
What can be done 10% better:
From Managee to Manager
What I liked:
What can be done 10% better:
» Finally, open up the feedback channel. Make it acceptable to share small and large feedback. By doing this every week, your team will be much more likely and open to sharing the big pieces of feedback.
» My favourite question here is “what can I do 10% better”. Nobody is perfect and there is always something we could have done 10% better.
» Most importantly, the manager has to always lead with feedback to set the example and encourage your team to keep giving constructive feedback espec if this has been left blank too often.
Can I have the template?
Yes, yes you can!
I’ve created a Notion 1:1 Upgrader.
When you get it, it is instantly ready to use for you.
Share the page with your team and you’re off to the races.
For each new meeting, your team clicks “New” and it spins up a New Template.
Whilst keeping all the 1:1s in One Central Place.
Note: the template is $9.99 and all proceeds go to charity ❤️🔥
I’m following my own advice, that you only find out if something is valuable if someone is willing to pay for it.
So I’m curious if my blog posts actually add any value to you!
If you’re a manager » upgrade your 1:1s and get the template here.
If you’re a managee » forward this blog post to your manager, you don’t have to adopt it 100%, but it might prompt some good additions to your regular check-in!