Adjusting 1-1s
Like most things in life, 1-1s aren’t just “set it and forget it.” There are a number of factors to take into consideration:
How often do you interact with this person offhand during the week?
If you interact with her frequently, you may not need a weekly set-aside time to chat.
How much coaching does this person need?
A
very junior person who’s just joined the team might appreciate more time than a senior person who’s in a groove. On the other hand, a senior person who is pushing through a difficult new project may appreciate more dedicated time for you to help her with some of the details of that work.
How much does this person push information up to you?
A person who’s not good at pushing information up may need more face time to do so.
How good is your relationship with this person?
Be careful here. Some people assume that good relationships require very little attention, and spend all of their time on their bad relationships. But there are plenty of people, myself included, who feel a strong need for regular 1-1 time even in good relationships. Just because you think things are going smoothly with this person doesn’t mean that she agrees. Don’t make the fatal error of spending all your time with your problem employees and ignoring your stars.
How stable or unstable are things in the team or the company?
One of the topics of discussion in your 1-1s will be company news. Especially in times of rapid change or uncertainty, make sure you take the time to answer any questions folks may have. Keeping your 1-1s regular through times of uncertainty will help stabilize your team and slow down the rumor mill.