This is an optional 1-on-1 for us to catch up in a more casual setting.

We can discuss about anything during this monthly catch-up (i.e., your projects, career, growth, personal life, needs, concerns, challenges, achievements, ideas, suggestions, feedback, rumours, etc.)

We will not cover status updates on projects and tasks—that is for stand-up.

Feel free to cancel any specific meeting if you feel that it’s not necessary. If not, we can have a chat anywhere you prefer, or a walk around somewhere.

Talk soon!

Each person operates differently. Learn your team members' productive models to support them more effectively.

• Which part of the day do you feel most productive?
• When do you feel that your energy and focus are at the lowest level?
• What are the changes that can be made so you can take the best out of a work day?
• What were your biggest time wasters or roadblocks last week or the week before?
• What do you do when you get stuck on something? What is your process of getting unstuck? Who is the team member you turn to for help?

Improving interpersonal relationships improves productivity. Also, someone with a good friend at work is less likely to leave.

• Who inspire you in the team? Whose opinions do you respect? What have they done?
• Is there anybody in the team that you find it difficult to work with? Can you tell me why?
• What do you think about the amount of feedback in our team?
• When do others give feedback to you?
• Would you like to hear more feedback from other team member and me?
• What do you think would help us work together better? Any suggestions for improvement in the way we work together?

Mechanisms are processes that convert inputs to desired outputs. Figuring out the right mechanisms for the team helps to increase productivity and scale.

• What is the team doing well that we should emphasize?
• What are you doing that’s helpful that you think everyone should do?
• What are some bad habits you think the team has?
• What can we change to make you more productive?

Happiness outside of work obviously has a significant impact on productivity and engagement.

• Are you happy working here? Are you happy with your recent work? Why or why not?
• What keeps you engaged with your daily work? What can I do to help make daily tasks more engaging?
• What kind of projects do you enjoy working on?
• What motivates you to work on a project?
• What are three things that we can do to help so you can enjoy your job more?
• What is the best accomplishment you had since you are here? Do you feel appreciated for it?
• What are the things that worry you? Anything on your mind?
• Have you ever felt undervalued here? Why?
• What’s the best part of your job?
• What’s the worst part about your job?
• It doesn’t seem like you’re enjoying ________, what would you rather be doing?
• It seems like you’re enjoying ________, is this an area of interest for you?

Keeping a pulse on short-term goals ensures you're aligned with their progress and challenges. Challenges should be addressed promptly.

• How is the project going? What can we do to help?
• What are the main bottlenecks? Can we do anything to move it along?
• What are the projects you would be interested in working on next?
• What were your biggest time wasters or roadblocks?

Helping your team achive their long-term goals contributes to their fulfillment and happiness.

• What do you want to achieve in the next 3 years? It's okay if that goal is not with this team!
• How do you think about your progress on your big goals? What needs to be done to move towards the goals? What can we do to help?
• Which part of the work here do you feel as most relevant to your long-term goals?
• What kinds of projects do you want to take part in to move toward your goals?

Is your team learning and growing, and how can you help them?

• What are you learning on your own? What are you interested in learning while at work?
• Do you feel like you are learning at work?
• What are the new things you learned lately?
• What are the areas you want to learn about?
• Whom in the team do you want to learn from? Whom do you get valuable feedback from?
• Do you think that you receive enough feedback?
• Is feedback helpful for your personal development?
• What can I do to help you get the feedback you want?
• Would you like more coaching? What aspect of your job do you like more help and coaching on?

It can be hard but its important to get honest feedback from your team on your management style. This might take a while if you're new and still earning trust.

• What can I do as a manager to make your work easier?
• What do you like about my management style? What do you dislike?
• What is the percentage of my involvement in your daily tasks? Would you prefer more or less?
• How can I support you better?
• What is something I could have done better? What are the situations that I could have helped more but didn’t?

• What to do when you start managing former peers
• How to manage former peers
• How to manage your former peers
• How to manage former peers (With tips for success)
• 7 tips for leading your peers
• 3 things to do ASAP when a promotion makes you the boss of your friends
• Show 'em who's boss: 4 tips for successfully managing your peers after a promotion