In a fast-paced corporate world, where productivity and efficiency reign supreme, many organisations overlook the significance of personal connections and individual growth within a team.
Managers sacrifice valuable frequent one-to-one conversations to focus on the tasks and deadlines ahead.
People grow frustrated and don’t voice their unhappiness, concerns, and impending burnout.
And everyone pays the price.
In environments like this, where results and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) take over the human aspect, leaders forget the real meaning of those one-to-one conversations, why they exist and whom they exist for.
→ When done right, these intentional check-ins create an environment of trust, facilitate feedback, promote growth, and strengthen the bond between team members.
So why many leaders don’t do them right?
For many reasons.
However, largely for two:
→ They don’t know how to properly approach them.
→ The organisational culture doesn’t prioritise people’s well-being.
I know what you’re thinking: “Oh c’mon now, surely you’re exaggerating!”
Gallup recently found out that only 16% of employees said that the last conversation with their manager was meaningful.
So nope, no exaggeration here!
Ok, let’s have a look at this in more detail.
Why are one-to-one conversations important, when done right?
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They create a Supportive Environment:
Frequent one-to-one conversations offer an opportunity for leaders and managers to build a supportive and trusting relationship with their team members. 
And by scheduling dedicated time for them, you demonstrate your commitment to people’s growth and well-being
Your one-to-one conversations should go beyond professional discussions.
During these conversations, you should create a safe and supportive environment for your team members to share their challenges, aspirations, and personal well-being. Whilst having an opportunity to provide guidance, support and resources for personal development.
By nurturing a supportive culture, you can foster a sense of belonging and demonstrate genuine care for your people, which will ultimately result in increased job satisfaction, loyalty, and overall employee well-being.
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They build Trust and help understanding Individual Needs:
Regular one-to-one conversations allow you to get to know your team on a deeper level.
By taking the time to understand their aspirations, strengths, and development areas, you will be able to tailor support and guidance to help them thrive and succeed.
These meetings foster trust and transparency, as people feel valued and heard.
As trust grows, your team will feel more comfortable in sharing their thoughts and concerns, leading to increased collaboration and productivity.
This personalised approach helps team members feel valued and shows that you’re invested in understanding them and their individual needs.
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They help with Alignment, Goal Setting and Growth Opportunities:
One-to-one conversations provide an ideal platform for discussing short-term and long-term goals.
They offer the time and space to align individual objectives with organisational goals, ensuring that everyone is working towards a common purpose.
These conversations also provide an opportunity to evaluate progress, offer feedback, and make any necessary adjustments to help with personal development and career growth.
Whether it’s recommending relevant training programmes, stretch assignments, or mentorship opportunities, these discussions help people enhance their skills, broaden their knowledge, and advance in their careers.
Regular goal discussions will help keep team members motivated, focused, and engaged, leading to greater accomplishment.
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They’re beneficial to Problem Solving and Support:
People encounter various challenges in their roles, ranging from professional to personal.
One-to-one conversations offer a safe space for everyone to discuss these challenges and seek guidance.
During these regular check-ins, you can provide support, suggest strategies, and share your expertise to help your team in overcoming obstacles and achieve success.
Additionally, these conversations provide an opportunity to identify potential issues early on, enabling proactive solutions and mitigating the impact on employee morale and productivity.
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They provide continuous Feedback and Recognition:
Regular feedback is crucial for personal and professional growth.
One-to-one conversations enable you to provide timely, constructive feedback that focuses on recognising achievements, addressing areas of improvement, and offering guidance for skill enhancement.
By providing feedback in a private setting, you can tailor your approach to each team member, ensuring that the feedback is constructive, specific, and actionable.
Regular feedback reinforces positive behaviours, corrects mistakes promptly, and empowers people to reach their full potential.
It’s clear how frequent one-to-one conversations are a valuable investment in the success of both employees and organisations.
These conversations create an environment that promotes engagement, growth, and productivity by fostering open communication, building trust, aligning goals, and providing support.
When you prioritise regular check-ins, you demonstrate your commitment to your team’s well-being, development, and success, you nurture a culture of collaboration and belonging.
So, let’s all embrace the power of one-to-one conversations and build better environments for people to work in.
The Motivation Agency has been helping businesses with their Training requirements since 2006.
Our e-Learning courses offer a wide range of learning opportunities to managers. Our Good Managers toolkit includes licences for two of our most sought-after courses (Em-Path Online and Continue and Begin Fast coaching ®).
Alessandra Atria
Marketing Manager
A marketer at heart, Alessandra has built her experience and skills across different industries and countries.
From launching Brands on global markets to analysing consumer behaviour to create the most effective marketing campaigns for TD SYNNEX (a global tech business working with household names such as Google, Apple and Cisco); her approach is led by data and characterised by a true passion for marketing and innovation.
Her creative approach means she will find the best solution to tell a Brand’s story and clearly communicate its values through engaging content and comprehensive strategies.