Run one-on-ones that are not awkward

One-on-One Meeting Kit

Print the kit straight from this page (File ~ Print ~ Save as PDF).

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Print this kit, keep the agenda page in front of you, and pull one or two prompt cards into each one-on-one. You do not need to use every card ~ pick what fits the week.

Your weekly 1:1 agenda

The same five beats every week ~ so neither of you walks in cold. Fill the lines together.

Wins since last time
What is stuck or heavy
One thing I can help with
Feedback ~ both directions
Next step + who owns it

What to ask ~ 30 prompt cards

Cut these out or keep the page nearby. Read one aloud when the room goes quiet.

What is taking more energy than it should right now?

Listen for the quiet drain, not the loud fire.

What went better than you expected this week?

Name the win out loud so it counts.

Where did you feel stuck, even for a minute?

What is one thing I could take off your plate?

Who has been great to work with lately?

Praise travels ~ pass it on.

What is a decision you are waiting on me for?

What would make next week 10% lighter?

What are you most proud of since we last talked?

Is anything unclear about what you own right now?

What is a skill you want more reps on?

What is one thing our team does that you would change?

Where do you want more feedback from me?

What is a task you keep putting off, and why?

Who do you want to learn from that you have not met yet?

What is going on outside work that I should know about?

Only what they want to share ~ never push.

When did you last feel genuinely challenged here?

What is a goal you have not told anyone yet?

What part of your job would you happily do all day?

What part drains you that we could rethink?

How are you doing on rest ~ honestly?

What is a small process fix that would save you time?

Where are we moving too fast for your comfort?

Where are we moving too slow?

What is one thing you wish leadership understood?

What is a project you want to raise your hand for?

What feedback have you gotten lately that stuck with you?

What would you do first if you had my job for a day?

What is a win we should celebrate as a team?

Is there anything you are dreading that I can help with?

What is one habit you are trying to build right now?

Flags to watch

Not alarms ~ just gentle signals to slow down and ask a follow-up. This is about noticing, not diagnosing.

  • Answers get shorter and vaguer week over week
  • Wins stop showing up in the conversation
  • They keep saying "fine" with no detail
  • The same blocker appears three weeks running
  • They go quiet after a change they did not choose
  • Energy for the work they used to love drops off

90-day cadence tracker

Thirteen weeks (about ninety days). Tick each column as you go so the rhythm sticks.

1:1 heldWin loggedFollow-up done
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13

Questions

How often should I run a one-on-one?

Weekly is the sweet spot for most teams ~ short and steady beats long and rare. The 90-day tracker is built for a weekly rhythm.

Do I have to use every prompt card?

No ~ pick one or two that fit the week. The cards are there so you always have a next question, not a script to march through.

Can I print this at work?

Yes. It is a plain printable ~ Letter and A4 both print clean, no special paper or software.