One on Ones for the DIRECT
February 17th, 2008How can you have a great One on One with your boss?
How can you get the the most out of the most valuable recurring communication investment you make? This is an important question … and it seems that a lot of managers DO NOT ask it. Some of the managers who are quite good at running their OWN O3s aren’t very good at getting the most out of their time with their boss. Frankly, we think that if they reported to themselves, they’d be disappointed in their direct. 
We’ve been watching managers for years, and we have some recommendations for how you can be most effective when you’re the direct.
(But to be clear: We never recommend managing your boss. Never.)
One additional note here: If you are NEW to Manager Tools, the concept of the One on One may not be completely familiar. If so, we recommend you go back and listen to those casts first. While you’re at it, you may want to reference the Manager Tools “Basics” series for the core podcasts outlining our basic thoughts and fundamental practices of effective management.
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February 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi Mike
I think you only included the intro for this show.
Jim
February 18th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I don’t see it in itunes!?
February 18th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Mike/Mark;
BLUF: I am assuming that you use this tips as part of unsolicited feedback to the manager. Is this correct? My manager does not perform O3’s and as such I can use this effectively (in my opinion) if I do a “cold call” to the manager and discuss these as part of a typical conversation. If not, then how would you communicate these with bosses who have little or no formal communication with their subordinates?
Great show, as always. I think I am getting the feeling that you don’t believe in managing your boss
.
Your points were very succinct and to the point. I have printed a copy of your slides and it is now firmly embedded in my desktop reference.
February 19th, 2008 at 5:05 am
fab episode….truth be told the previous one (introducing people) was IMHO a tad weak….so this one gets the spunk back!
the hidden gem advise was spot on.
wish: a solid cast on Project Management. you know you have the answers….so spill it
big fan,
shiva
February 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
This is one of your best casts guys. Very specific, concise, and addresses key questions that are probably in people’s minds. For example, “What if I already have trusting relationship with my boss?” “Isn’t it enough just to do my work?”
The 24-hour pre-wire email is a jewel.
“Your follow-up notes should be better than your bosses.” Another gem. You’ve motivated me to improve my 1:1 notes.
February 21st, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hi guys. This was a great podcast and I walked away with a template in my head(always good stuff). The cherry on the O3 sundae is when I (as a direct) can say to my boss at meeting end, “Is there anything I can take off YOUR desk for you?”. That’s where I want to be …. and I love when my directs can do this on occasion.
See you soon,
Dan
February 22nd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
CalKen-
Bad assumption. If your boss doesn’t do One on Ones, this cast is not for you, unfortunately. We do not recommend you use this as a way to encourage your boss to do them.
Mark
February 24th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Podcasts I Listen To Regularly…
It’s been a while since I posted my list of podcasts and my tastes have changed since then. Here’s what…
February 24th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Podcasts I Listen To Regularly…
It's been a while since I posted my list of podcasts and my tastes have changed since then. Here's…
February 25th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I am so lucky. my current directs always come to one on ones prepared to talk about the important tasks. My two worst ever directs: One would come ready to be beaten. The other would come all to ready to talk about himself, his kids, his weightlifting his anything but goals.
When I started one on ones, my best ever direct (he is now my admin) made it known to the rest of the office that he was waiting to come to his first one on one and he had an written agenda. When he gets through law school he will be able to run the firm.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Any suggestions for 1-on-1’s when I already meet with the employee on a daily basis? I have an assistant who I meet with every morning and periodically throughout the day to get status and she can ask questions during this time. When it comes to 1-on-1s we sometimes don’t have much to talk about. Any suggestions?
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
We recommend your daily meeting with your assistant be 15 minutes and tactically focused on the day’s mission and tasks. That’s different than a one on one.
One on Ones with admins often end up being about longer term projects, relationship management reviews, and development.
Mark
March 21st, 2008 at 12:55 am
Is the full download somewhere? The link only has the intro…
March 21st, 2008 at 1:51 am
kstone,
The link has the whole show … you may wish to try clearing your browser cache and downloading again.
Mike
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 am
It’s working tonight. Thanks for the help.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:08 am
MP3 not available.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Don,
Can’t seem to see an issue … can you send me an email with more details?
thanks,
Mike
May 1st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
this is one of the best podcasts I have heard so far….it was so practical. I sent my manager an agenda, discussed with her why I was doing it, and we stuck to the agenda during our O3. My manager was floored–no other direct had ever done anything like that before. She was impressed.
Also, during our O3 I took an idea from another podcast–I think the annual goals ‘cast–and asked my manager if there was any work I could do for her to help her meet her goals. Again, she was floored.
So, this past week she has been handing over duties to me that came from her boss; it is helping me to grow in my leadership skills. She knows I have aspirations to leadership, but since I have been more proactive she is beginning to take me seriously.
Thanks, M&M–keep up the great work.