Business Changing

Profit and Growth Specialist

What to say on those employee one-on-ones

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Most of us know how important it is to have regular one-on-ones with our staff, but sometimes they can get forgotten in the rush of the week. Or you do hold them but your cursory “Did you have anything you want to talk about today?” yields a “All good here, thanks” response. Neither situation is ideal.

 

One on ones aren’t just important to keep an ear to the ground about what’s happening around the workplace, they’re also necessary for mentoring your employees – for giving them feedback, advice, knowledge and enough insight that they can become better employees and make better decisions without you. Often it’s the only time they have to pick your brain, to hear why you’ve done things the way you have, to understand which point you’re coming from.

 

But I know it can be hard to know what to talk about in these meetings, aside from the nuts and bolts of what’s actually happening in the day-to-day dealings of business which isn’t the sort of discussion that will grow them as an employee. I found some great questions today on the e-Myth site that will really help set you up for your next few weeks of one on ones. Put them into action and let me know how they go for you:

 

  1. “We talk a lot around here about our company values – which one of them is most important to you? Why is that?” “Was there something that happened before you started working here that caused you to feel that way?
  2. “I’d love to hear an example of where you feel like we didn’t live up to our standards, or anything else you see along those lines. Was there something we did that you felt let down by?” “How do you think we should handle it differently next time?”
  3. “Do you feel like you’re in the ‘center’ of your job? Meaning, are you doing something that really suits you? And do you feel like you have the right amount of responsibility and authority to do it well?”
  4. “What would you say is the ‘theme’ that runs through your work here? For example, do you tend to get lost in the details on projects, or struggle to feel relaxed in talking with our customers? What are you working on as a professional goal for yourself in being here?”
  5. “Does working here make you ‘better’ at your life outside of here? Meaning, do you go home feeling good about yourself and your contribution? What do you think is in the way of you feeling more that way here?”
  6. “When you think about where you want to be a year from now, or three, how does working here serve that personal dream? What is it giving you, or could it give you, that serves you and the life you want?”

 

If you’re still struggling or think you need help with creating a more positive and nurturing workplace, contact Business Changing for some business coaching – we do great workplace engagement workshops that yield awesome results: zac@business changing.co.nz

 

Find the entire e-Myth article here: http://emyth.com/blog/want-to-know-what-motivates-your-staff-just-ask-them

 

 

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  • "Zac has also become a key enabler and contributor to us working towards the development of both our employee engagement and customer experience roadmaps. Kotahi is a new and fast-paced environment and it has been great to have Zac as a trusted advisor to both myself and the CEO. He has a no-nonsense and solid experience-based approach to his consulting style. I have enjoyed working with Zac and look forward to continuing on our engagement journey with the support of Business Changing”
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