Mastering Your Managerial Role: Conducting Impactful 121s

Some managers dread their 121’s. They put them off, reschedule them, or don’t put any effort into them at all.

Your 121 with your team member is your best tool in the managerial toolbox. This is not just a managerial duty; it's a strategic move that can reshape the dynamics of your leadership and your team culture. These 121’s serve as a crucial gateway to understanding your team on a deeper level. If you want to build a strong relationship with your team, it begins with developing a professional relationship with each team member.

The 121’s can seem awkward, but this is only if you come to the meetings unprepared. You should have a high-level agenda in the meeting invite that suggests different topics you’d like to cover on an ongoing basis. These topics can range from goals, to projects, ongoing tasks, or overall workload management.

During your 121, resist the temptation to dive into problem-solving mode. Instead, create a space for your team to discuss the challenges or situational tasks they are facing. Leverage this opportunity to ask open ended questions, that will guide the team member down a path of finding a solution to their challenge, on their own. Your 121 is also a place where the team member can express areas for improvement, suggestions they may have, share their perspectives, and discuss current projects they’re working on. These sessions are not about immediate fixes; they are about opening a channel for candid conversations. Let your team voice their concerns without interruption, signaling that their opinions matter and are valued.

Listening attentively during these sessions is paramount in effective leadership. By actively absorbing their feedback, you demonstrate genuine interest in understanding their experiences and perspectives. By simply listening to your team, the 121 meeting becomes a powerful tool for building trust and creating a rapport with one another.

The feedback collected during these one-on-one meetings becomes a roadmap for your managerial journey. It highlights specific areas of improvement that can significantly enhance the team's work environment. It also allows you to identify long-term solutions to their concerns, demonstrating your commitment to making tangible improvements that directly impact their day-to-day tasks.

Creating a work environment of open communication through 121’s, fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding. Team members feel heard and valued, creating a positive and constructive environment. By refraining from immediate problem-solving, you encourage a more in-depth exploration of their challenges, paving the way for effective solutions.

In summary, 121’s serve as a conduit for building a stronger, more resilient teams. These sessions transcend the traditional manager-employee relationship, evolving into a platform where shared insights and concerns shape the collective success of the team. As a manager, recognizing the critical role the 121’s play, is the first step towards building a work environment built on trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Make sure to setup a regular 121 session with your team members. So many managers fail to do so, and they’re missing out on an excellent opportunity to build a resilient team.