One-on-one meeting template: questions for a 1:1
Four ready templates: a regular meeting, a development plan (IDP), the end of probation and a performance improvement plan (PIP). Take the questions — and the meeting is about the person, not only about tasks.
The questions below are free. 1:1 meetings in PapaHR are in Pro: $1.50 per employee a month.
- Pick a template for the meeting below.
- In PapaHR, set pairs of managers and employees and the rhythm of meetings.
- The agenda, agreements and mood are saved — the next meeting starts from them.
The templates: questions for a 1:1
Regular
- What went best since our last meeting?
- What gets in your way, and how can I help?
- What are the priorities for the next 2 weeks?
- Feedback: what should I do differently as your manager?
Development (IDP)
- How are the IDP goals going? What is done?
- What new things did you apply at work?
- What do you need for the next step: a task, a mentor, training?
- Is it time to change a goal or a deadline?
Probation
- What is already clear in the job, and what is not yet?
- Do you have enough information, access and help from your mentor?
- How is the team, and how did they welcome you?
- Manager's feedback: what works, what to improve before probation ends
Improvement plan (PIP)
- Results for each PIP goal this period: numbers and facts
- What helped, and what got in the way?
- What support do you need from your manager?
- Progress check: on track or not
Why 1:1 meetings
A regular 1:1 is the main tool of a manager: it shows burnout, conflicts and the wish to leave before a person writes a resignation letter. A meeting without a template turns into a status update — the questions keep it about the person.
How often to meet
Most teams meet once every one or two weeks for 30 minutes. Agreements of each meeting are written down and checked at the next one.
Questions
What to ask at a 1:1 meeting?
What went best, what gets in the way and how the manager can help, what the priorities are and what the manager should do differently. The templates above have questions for regular meetings, development, probation and a PIP.
How is a 1:1 different from a status meeting?
A status meeting is about tasks; a 1:1 is about the person: motivation, obstacles, growth. Tasks can be discussed in a chat.
How much does it cost in PapaHR?
1:1 meetings are in Pro: $1.50 per employee a month when paid for a year. The questions on this page are free.
Meetings that don't fall through
Sign up: the free plan opens the core of PapaHR, and 1:1 meetings come with Pro.