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Change your mindset -

If you want to get more out of your one-to-one time with your boss, the first step to take is to change your mindset. If you have the wrong attitude to your meeting it will be fruitless.

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Change your mindset -

Try to view the weekly or monthly meeting as an opportunity to develop rather than just to check in with your boss. Make a point of using the time to learn.

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Limit reporting time -

If you spend the majority of the meeting reporting on status, you may not get as much out of the time as you'd like. Try to limit the time you spend status reporting.

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Limit reporting time -

If you must spend time reporting on status, it is best to prepare a bullet point summary and perhaps even submit it beforehand, so as not to waste precious discussion time.

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Share successes -

Make a point of sharing in successes. Try to kick off each one-on-one with a success story (this may well be easier if your meetings are monthly rather than weekly).

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Share successes -

Sharing a success story as the first item of the agenda will help set a positive mood for the meeting. If you have a second one, save it for the end so you can finish on a high.

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Present your ideas -

You will likely have problems to discuss and solutions to find. Instead of asking your boss how to approach a particular problem, make your own suggestion first.

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Present your ideas -

This will make for a more efficient meeting, as it is much easier for a boss to give their thoughts on a proposed solution than to go through everything and come up with one themselves.

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Discuss an article -

You may find it fruitful to discuss an article you have both read, perhaps one that discusses a particular issue that your team is facing or may face in the near future.

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Discuss an article -

Whatever the principle discussed by the article, talk to your boss about how it may be applied to your team and the work that you do.

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Plan your next team meeting -

You may use some of the time to plan your next team meeting; as many of us know, it's all too easy to go off track during a team meeting in a more than inefficient way.

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Plan your next team meeting -

Think about the topics that you want to discuss at the next full team meeting and perhaps make a suggestion for how the meeting should be structured.

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Check in on goals -

Remember those goals that you set yourself at the beginning of the quarter? A one-on-one with your boss is the perfect time to discuss your progress.

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Check in on goals -

It's great if you're on track to achieve your goals, but if not, use your one-on-one to discuss where you may be going wrong and what can be done about it.

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Discuss rumors -

You might even talk about what the rumor mill has been churning out lately. Rumors thrive in any workplace, but they often don't reach those in charge.

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Discuss rumors -

A one-on-one can be a great opportunity to discuss what is true and what is not. You may also discuss how best to deal with the rumor mill and prevent the spread of misinformation.

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Discuss leadership -

It is a good exercise to discuss the topic of leadership itself. You don't necessarily need to choose an example of leadership from within your own team or company.

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Discuss leadership -

You could choose a leadership story from the news and discuss with your boss about how you think the leader handled the situation and what you might have done differently.

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Review strengths -

Work out what is motivating you at work and what is not. Use your one-on-one to share with your boss what you think gives you energy and what doesn't.

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Review strengths -

Try to discuss how you might create more positive energy for yourself and your colleagues on a daily basis.

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Discuss what-ifs -

Spending some time thinking about the big picture is always valuable. Discuss the direction in which the team is headed, as well as wider topics, such as what is going on in the industry.

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Discuss what-ifs -

Be careful not to spend all the time just dreaming about what might be; discuss too what plans you can put into action to makes those dreams come true.

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Discuss your boss' challenges -

It should come as little surprise that you are not the only one experiencing work-based challenges on a daily basis–your boss has challenges to face too.

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Discuss your boss' challenges -

You might like to ask your boss about the challenges they face and even offer to help wherever possible.

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Share contacts -

A one-on-one can be a great networking opportunity. Don't be shy about asking your boss if they would be willing to share contacts and help you grow your network.

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Share contacts -

This is also a two-way street: although your manager will likely have more contacts in that industry, you can offer yours up too because you never know what might helpful.

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Ask for feedback -

Of course, your boss should be providing you with feedback on a regular basis anyway. But in the event that they forget, be sure to ask for this during your one-on-one.

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Ask for feedback -

Avoid open-ended questions like "How am I doing?" since these invite open-ended answers. Opt instead for questions like "How do you think I can improve my presentation skills?"

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Relax -

Last, but not least, don't forget to relax and enjoy your one-on-one. It should be an opportunity for you and your boss to get to know each other on a personal level.

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Relax -

Using some of these tips will hopefully help you to maximize the time spent with your boss and you may start dreading that one-on-one just a little bit less.

Sources: (Forbes)

See also: Balancing work and family life: Strategies for success

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