👥 My Engineering Manager 1:1 Template: Simple, but Effective

👥 My Engineering Manager 1:1 Template: Simple, but Effective

Over the years, I've learned that a good 1:1 isn't a status meeting. It's an opportunity to understand how someone is doing, what is blocking them, and where they want to grow.

Here's a simple structure I find useful:

1️⃣ Start with the person
How are things going? What's been energizing or frustrating lately?

2️⃣ Discuss blockers
What's slowing you down? Is there a decision, dependency, or process we can improve?

3️⃣ Talk about growth
What skill do you want to develop? What responsibility would you like to take on next?

4️⃣ Exchange feedback
What's working well? What could I do differently to support you?

5️⃣ Agree on actions
Capture the next steps, owners, and follow-ups.

One important reminder: not every 1:1 needs to follow an agenda rigidly. Sometimes, listening is the most valuable thing a manager can do.

My goal is simple: make every conversation useful for the person, not just the project.

💬 Engineering managers, what's one question you always ask in your 1:1s?

#EngineeringManagement #Leadership #PeopleManagement #CareerGrowth #SoftwareEngineering