One to One Meetings
To be used in conjunction with the 1st
Class HR ‘One to One Meetings’
Management Guide available at
www.1stclasshr.co.uk
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
High levels of trust
and respect
Strong professional
relationship
Quality and quantity
of communication
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
www.1stclasshr.co.uk
Or call on 01362 680009.