As a leader, how many One-on-Ones do you have with your team members? Once a year? Twice? Every quarter? Every month? Every other week?
When I started off my career, I had one One-on-One per year. It's purpose: performance management and the annual rating that would determine some sort of bonus. Of course, I did see my manager often during the week - in the hallway, in a team meeting, for a project conversation. Quite understandably, the annual One-on-One with them was scary, and it preoccupied my mind long before the actual meeting.
Then, when joining HBOS (soon after to be merged with Lloyds TSB to form Lloyds Banking Group) Trina Case (Kellaway) was my boss. With her, One-on-Ones became a regular conversation in my calendar. They did not have anything scary or daunting. We talked about us - and, most of the times, about me as her team member: the things that brought me joy; the struggles I had; the projects I worked on.
I realized two things:
🌱 I opened up much more sharing feelings, worries and dreams.
🌱 I was more motivated because I knew I was seen and heard. Trina listened to me, and offered alternative views, ideas and recommendations.
When in sessions or trainings with leaders today, I always stress the importance of having regular One-on-Ones with their team members. Because I know the difference. Because they do make a difference.
What has been your experience with One-on-Ones so far?
(And yes, this is a big shout out to Trina for having changed and shaped my perception of One-on-Ones quite a few years ago...let's not yet call it twenty but we are not far off....)
#oneonones #texturalize #culturechange The Texturalists
[Photo by Anna Kozlova on Pexels]
President of Wealth Management, EVP, Regional President at NBT Bank
4wCongratulations everyone!