Individual Attention

One-on-one time with staffers

Most of us have team meetings with our staffers. But that may not be the most effective way to grow their professional development.

Consider setting up a regular (weekly?) individual meeting with each of your direct reports. Let them know the purpose in advance, so they are not anxious about “being called in to talk to the boss.” Give them a chance to deliver a status update on each of their current projects—what has been completed, what is ongoing, and what is planned for the coming week. Ask them if they have any items on which the two of you should brainstorm or troubleshoot. And then use the time remaining to discuss their long-term goals, aspirations, and development.

Ideally, this helps you, as the leader, to keep tabs on the status of all current projects, and to catch any issues or problems before they snowball. But it also gives you time to develop effective two-way communication, mutual respect and trust, and to motivate and grow each person on your team.

Your leadership influence increases dramatically when your people feel heard, validated, respected, and appreciated by you. Your retention rates remain high when your people see a path to the professional success and fulfillment they want in your organization. Those are grown faster, stronger, and more effectively in one-on-one discussions.

Invest some more of your time in your people—the time investment is worth it.

(Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash)