How 1:1 Conversations with Employees Help

Career Development

Official 1:1 conversation with employees is extremely important. It achieves so many things. Small Improvements defines 1:1 as a regular check-in between two people in an organization - typically a manager and an employee. It is used to give feedback, keep each other in the loop, resolve issues, and help the participants grow in their roles.

When employees are provided feedback, they become aware about their strengths and areas of improvement. From there employees feel valued because the management recognizes their skills and contributions. At the same time, they appreciate the company more because they feel that they are being mentored to greatness. Based on a survey, nine in ten workers who have a career mentor say they are happy in their jobs.

Keeping employees in the loop encourages them to diligently do their tasks well because it validates their feeling of importance as part of the team. It also serves as a window for employees to see and understand the value of their coworkers’ tasks. 92% of polled employees in the U.S. say that they would be productive if there is transparency in each other’s work.

Another thing everybody will agree on is the truth that 1:1 conversation helps in resolving issues whether it is about a conflict between employees or the employees’ issues about their coworkers or the company itself. It is because 1:1 conversation is, first and foremost, a communication. The Indeed Editorial Team in an article shares that “Communication is vital to both team and individual successes in the workplace. Clear communication at work helps you avoid misunderstanding, develop strong relationships with your coworkers, and establish yourself as a vital member of the team.”.

Most importantly, meaningful conversations between the manager and the employees can lead to their career growth because, as BetterUp has shared, in face-to-face meetings the manager can motivate employees, can get a pulse on employees’ job satisfaction, can reduce barriers to success and help employees overcome challenges, and can help employees to connect their work to the larger purpose, goals, and mission of the organization.

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