32: How to Run 1:1s That Actually Improve Performance

Join The CTO Playbook Slack Community to connect with other CTOs!

In this episode, you'll learn how to structure effective one-on-one meetings with engineers, how to maintain alignment between individual performance and company goals, how to use a rolling agenda for tracking progress, and how to transition from weekly check-ins to quarterly and annual reviews seamlessly.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[00:38] Importance of one-on-one meetings for engineers

[01:22] How often should you meet with individual contributors

[02:14] Weekly vs. biweekly or monthly meetings

[03:06] Why weekly meetings maintain momentum

[04:02] When to adjust meeting frequency

[04:48] Balancing meeting length and effectiveness

[05:32] What to cover in one-on-one meetings

[06:20] The role of trust and rapport in leadership

[07:05] How to start meetings with open-ended questions

[07:52] Why listening is a key leadership skill

[08:36] Avoiding status updates in one-on-ones

[09:20] Helping engineers improve communication skills

[10:02] Teaching engineers how to listen effectively

[10:48] Steering conversations toward personal growth

[11:36] How to shift focus from output to experience

[12:24] Using silence to encourage deeper responses

[13:10] The importance of writing things down

[14:00] How to structure a rolling agenda document

[14:46] Benefits of an open agenda for tracking topics

[15:30] Using action items to track progress

[16:14] How a personal development plan fits in

[17:02] Why mission statements help guide career growth

[17:48] Real examples of how writing things down improves performance

[19:20] Using notes to build confidence in employees

[20:10] Preparing for performance improvement plans

[20:58] How to guide conversations in one-on-ones

[21:42] Understanding different learning styles

[22:28] The VARK model: visual, auditory, read/write, kinesthetic

[23:12] Adapting coaching based on learning style

[24:02] Asking the right questions for better engagement

[24:50] How different learning styles impact communication

[25:36] Structuring quarterly reviews for performance tracking

[26:22] How to align quarterly reviews with company goals

[27:10] The four key sections of a quarterly review

[27:56] Why quarterly reviews remove surprises in evaluations

[28:44] Rolling up quarterly insights into annual reviews

[29:30] Making promotions and salary adjustments smoother

[30:18] Five key takeaways for leading individual contributors

Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.