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Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable advice from my personal experiences as a people and business leader.

Today’s Email:

Today we’re diving deep into the importance and IMPACT that 1 simple action can have on your team (and business) engagement…

1:1 Meetings!

What we’ll cover off:

• Why 1:1’s Matter

• Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make

• 1:1 Meetings Quick Guide Tool

• My Ultimate 1:1 Meeting Agenda

• My Connect & Elevate Strategy

Before we jump into today’s content though - I’d love to get your insight…

Thank you for your insight 😉 

Why 1:1 Meetings Matters…

According to Gallup, a staggering 80% of employees are disengaged.
In Australia, 67% of employees aren’t engaged whilst 13% are actively disengaged.
These statistics highlight that a majority of our team is just going through the motions at work.

Further to this, 51% (almost half our team) of currently employed team members are actively looking or watching out for other opportunities.

So what do 1:1’s have to do with these statistics and engagement?

Well, according to that very same study - employees that have regular 1:1 meetings are 𝟯𝘅 more engaged on the job.

That means more enthusiasm, more commitment, and everyone moving forward. It's about seeing that spark in their eyes when they talk about their wins and the thoughtful nods when you hash out challenges together.

And when it comes to 1:1 meetings/catch ups - it starts at the top.

Here’s the Scoop:

As leaders, our goal is to not just manage but to inspire and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive. When employees are engaged, they're not just working—they're contributing to a culture of excellence.

Engaged teams produce greater output, they solve problems creatively, and they're the heartbeat of a thriving organization. We're not just aiming for satisfied team members; we're striving to unlock the potential of our teams!

Top 5 Mistakes Leaders Make When It Comes To 1:1 Meetings

• NOT doing them

• Only doing them when performance reviews roll around

• Simply ticking a box

• The leader does all the talking

• Have no agenda/preparation

This impacts your chance to really connect with your team and bring out the best in them.
As I shared in this previous article, team are unable to perform if they are unaware of their roles and opportunities.

It's easy to get caught up in the "what" of work—the tasks, the numbers, the outcomes.

But if we forget the "who" behind the work—the people, their aspirations, their challenges—we miss the mark. A monologue from a manager can never replace a dialogue between team members.

“Not having enough time” isn’t a good enough excuse.

How to 3x your engagement

Consistent 1:1 Meetings are the best investment you can make in your team and business.
Not the emails, not the meetings and certainly not the pizza lunches.

In 15+ years of leadership, I’ve recognised that leaders actually WANT to connect and build relationships with their team.

The challenge however… is the HOW.

The solution lies in flipping the script on these meetings.
It's not a performance review; it's a performance boost.

It's about asking the right questions, listening more than speaking, and crafting an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their true thoughts.

When leaders approach 1:1 with the intent to understand and support, rather than to instruct, that's when the magic happens.

This quick guide below from Justin Mecham is a belter and great tool to help you get the ball rolling.

If you’re wanting to build a system however and implement a sustainable strategy for your 1:1 meetings with your team… This is it.

Introducing my “Connect & Elevate” Strategy
How to implement 1:1’s - connecting with and elevating your culture

1. Identify the # of your direct reports

2. For every direct report, allocate 30-45 minute time slots weekly

3. Collaborate with your team to lock in a weekly time slot and create a recurring calendar invite

4. Save this ultimate 1:1 template (the link will ask you to make a copy)

   > Get familiar with it (feel free to email me if any questions 😉 )
   > Make a copy for your direct reports

   > Provide them with their link to the form

   > Have them fill it in weekly ahead of their 1:1

5. Provide your team with a time block to complete - ie if your catchup is on Tuesdays at 4pm, you might allocate 1pm-130pm on Monday for them to complete. This then gives you 24+ hours to review and plan for your 1:1.

6. Review their form, prepare and provide max value in the 1:1

7. Never cancel. If something comes up, reschedule, never cancel.

   
   
   Bonus Tip: In order to create impact fast - avoid scheduling 1:1’s in the back end of the week if you can.
   When you review, plan and prepare early in the week - impact can happen that very same week.

In Conclusion:

Make every engagement count.

This isn't just about improving statistics; it's about empowering people to bring their best selves to work every day.

When we do that, we're not just leading teams; we're leading change.
Liked this tip? Tell me! Just reply, and I'll get right back to you.

Got questions about leading a team? I'm here to help and might even share your question in the next Tuesday Trailblazer.

Have an awesome week!
Howard

Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:

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