One to One Meetings To be used in conjunction with the 1st Class HR ‘One to One Meetings’ Management Guide available at

This session focuses the tools and techniques that managers can use to ensure that they have effective one to one (121) meetings with staff.

Learning Objectives To learn how to hold effective one to one meetings To understand the roles and responsibilities of staff and managers

One to one meetings Holding regular, structured 121 meetings with direct reports can be regarded as the most important thing a manager does and the most effective way of improving and maintaining performance.

The rationale Strong, consistent performance Quality and quantity of communication Strong professional relationship High levels of trust and respect

The basics There are many formats for 121s. The important thing is that, whatever the format, they have as their goal to encourage performance through regular, quality communication. What follows is a suggested format which honours the basic principles of a 121 meeting.

WASP Welcome – put your team member at ease Acquire – review current performance, give recognition of achievements and success Supply – set revised standards and deadlines for objectives Part – summarise main points and review plans made

121 Format Regular – meet at least once per month Timings – meet for approximately 30 minutes, but adapt the timeframe to suit the discussion Environment – meet in a quiet and appropriate environment, such as an office meeting room No Interruptions – switch off phones and don’t allow any interruptions or distractions

121 Format Listen – this is not the time to stream information, but to allow the employee to talk to you about their thoughts, feelings, actions or concerns Coach – provide feedback to the employee adopting a coaching style Record – take notes, this is a professional meeting rather than a chat.

Top Tip… Encourage the employee to talk openly to you by starting the meeting with one of the following questions… 1.What do you want to talk about today? 2.What’s on your agenda? 3.So, how are things?

Learning Outcomes You are now able to… hold effective one to one meetings You now know/understand… the roles and responsibilities of staff and managers

Thank you For more information about performance management, including a sample policy and procedure, go to Or call on