How to conduct a smart one-on-one conversation with your boss

Never estimate the strategic importance and the positive impact that one-on-one meetings with your boss can have on your career, future goals and expectations. One of the main issues is the lack of preparation from both parties mixed with the risk of having an unproductive conversation, if held without a specific agenda.

What are the things you should know as an employee?

Understand the motivation behind the invitation 

In most cases your own boss will send you a formal invitation for a one-on-one meeting to discuss current activities, objectives, your role within the company and maybe some business-related issues. In order to understand if your own agenda matches the reason of the convocation, it is important to understand why you have been summoned. It will allow you to avoid gaps in terms of expectations and possible misunderstandings. Based upon the answer you receive, you can balance your own plan for the meeting.

Prepare a thorough agenda 

Contributing to the conversation with a personalized and structured list of points of discussion will give you confidence and readiness for conducting a highly productive conversation. Remember to take notes once in a while, without losing your focus and attention when your employer provides you with a feedback. This will leave a trace of your opinions’ exchange. The points of discussion should follow a precise order, be clear and intuitive.

Talk about your goals within the company 

It is important to express the aspirations that you have and the skills you would acquire, in order to improve your evolution within the company. Be open about your goals and objectives, provide solid arguments.

Make the most of this meeting and ask questions that you have never asked before 

This type of one-on-one meetings are usually not very frequent, so make the most out of it and don’t be afraid to ask questions using a constructive approach.  Of course, any personal question is out of discussion, but the ones related to the company are welcome.

Provide feedback and make proposals 

Toward the end of your meeting it is important to provide an overall feedback and suggest some things that you think could be source of improvement. This should be a valuable moment of a dialogue between professionals where proactivity can make the difference. With the due respect, offer your point of view on specific issues that need to be addressed.

Here are other useful tips that will allow you to successfully manage this important moment in your career.

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