50 Great One-on-One Meeting Questions for Managers and Employees (2024)

The manager-employee relationship is central to all things work. As in any relationship, communication is essential.

Weekly one-on-ones

give managers and direct reports the chance to share feedback, address challenges, and check in on mental health. While discussion topics might include tactical, short-term items (like project updates), one-on-one meetings are also an opportunity to talk about the big picture.

When it comes time to set the meeting agenda, it’s natural to feel at a loss for words. That’s why we asked business leaders to share their favorite weekly one-on-one questions.

Manager One-on-One Questions

While some put the onus on direct reports to set the agenda, HR leaders say managers share that responsibility. Not every employee will be forthcoming about personal or team challenges, let alone career goals, without being asked. By giving the agenda thought ahead of time, both parties will get more out of the meeting.

“It’s critical for managers to ask the right questions and stick to the agenda. Otherwise, the conversation can go off track, and the meeting’s effectiveness will likely go to waste,” said Jagoda Wieczorek, HR Manager at ResumeLab. “To counterbalance it, you need to prep your one-on-one questions to help you kickstart the conversation, steer the discussion, and ultimately provide you with enough information to gauge the employee’s emotional, mental, and professional state.”

Others stressed the importance of managers regularly bringing up development. Surveys show that “lack of growth opportunities” ranks among employees’ top reasons for leaving. Given the power dynamics involved, some reports might be wary of bringing up career goals. That’s why managers should add growth to their one-on-one agendas on a monthly or quarterly basis.

“If we want our employees to be happy at work, we need to make sure that we offer them opportunities for continuous growth. In my questions, I try to get them to go a bit further beyond their comfort zones,” said Susan Norton, Senior Director of HR at LiveCareer. “The goal for my team is to be challenged but not overwhelmed. I want to push them to take up new challenges but also offer support when needed,” Norton said.

Among the HR and business leaders we surveyed, the top manager one-on-one questions were:

Engagement and Morale

  1. How are you feeling?
  2. What were your work and non-work highlights last week?
  3. Is there anything stressing you out right now? What is it?
  4. Do you feel like you’re able to disconnect after work? Why or why not?

Collaboration and Teamwork

  1. Do you feel like the team is communicating effectively enough? If not, what’s standing in the way?
  2. Is there a problem on the team that I might not know about? What is it?
  3. Do you feel like you’re able to stay connected with everyone? Is there anything I can do to help?
  4. Which team members do you wish you had more of a connection with?
  5. Do you feel like you’re able to ask others for help? Why or why not?

Growth

  1. How do you feel like you’re tracking on your growth goals?
  2. Are there any new skills you’d like to learn?
  3. Are you interested in any conferences or courses? Are you open to recommendations?
  4. In your view, how have you grown since working here?
  5. What part of the business would you like to learn more about?
  6. Are there any specific software or tools you’d like to learn how to use?

Manager Feedback

  1. What can I do to make your life easier?
  2. Am I doing a good enough job bringing you into team decisions? Would you like to be more involved?
  3. Do you feel like you’re getting enough from our one-on-ones? Why or why not?
  4. How would you like me to share feedback?
  5. Would you like me to share more updates from the leadership team? If so, what kind of information would be helpful?

Productivity

  1. What’s your top priority right now?
  2. What challenges do you face in your role that aren't visible to others?
  3. What’s your outlook on the next week? How about next month?
  4. What roadblocks can I help you with?
  5. Is there anything that frustrates you or keeps you from doing your best work? What is it?

Employee One-on-One Questions

It’s easy to assume your manager knows what you’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis. That’s doubly true if you’re remote. But managers have to juggle jam-packed calendars, reports’ questions, and their own work — meaning they need your perspective on what’s working and what isn’t.

“Employees should ask about things that prevent them from realizing their objectives or slow them down. Whether you’re a manager or in HR, you don't want bottlenecks to stand in their way,” Norton said. Though managers should try to identify some of those obstacles through questioning, it’s a two-way street. Playing the part of “squeaky wheel” is one of the keys to managing up well. “If employees don't communicate their problems, we might not be aware of their struggles,” she said.

Similarly, while there’s a time and a place for open-ended questions, be specific when asking your manager for feedback. Giving constructive feedback is easier when you’re able to tie it to a particular topic or assignment.

“Put yourself in your manager's shoes. The obligation of having regular meetings where you’re expected to give feedback can make you run for the hills,” said Paula McLeod, an executive coach and CEO of Success by Design. “Don't just ask, ‘How am I doing?’ Instead, ask, ‘What's one thing I could do a little differently that would make me develop faster? Or make things easier for you? Or would get me promoted faster?’”

Among the HR and business leaders we surveyed, the top employee one-on-one questions were:

Engagement and Morale

  1. How are you doing?
  2. Looking ahead, what are you most hopeful for and worried about?
  3. Is there anything about our team culture you wish you could change?
  4. How do you avoid burnout?

Productivity

  1. What’s your highest priority right now? How can I help?
  2. Right now, what do you need more of — quality or quantity?
  3. Is there a process or project you’d like me to start owning? What is it?
  4. What are your long-term goals for the team?
  5. Are you thinking about expanding the team?
  6. Is there anything I should prepare ahead of our next one-on-one?

Collaboration and Teamwork

  1. Who would you like me to start talking to or working more with?
  2. If I need help, what’s the best way to get your input?
  3. What part of my job would you like more visibility into?
  4. What's your preferred way to receive updates?
  5. What should I be mindful of when working with other teams?

Growth

  1. What should I consider adding to my growth plan?
  2. What upcoming conferences or events I should attend?
  3. What technical skills should I work on?
  4. Are there any soft skills Ishould develop?
  5. In your view, what are my strengths?
  6. What skill gaps do you see on our team?

Feedback

  1. Is there anything I should be doing differently? Do you have examples?
  2. Has anyone shared any feedback about my work? What was it?
  3. How could I better contribute to our team meetings?
  4. What are my blind spots?

Though they can feel routine, weekly one-on-ones are the most important meetings on your calendar. For managers, they’re a way to ensure everyone feels engaged and productive. For everyone else, they’re a chance to check in with the boss, build rapport, and maybe even set the stage for that next big promotion.

“If you think these meetings are all about you, you’re wrong. These meetings are a chance to build your relationship with one of the most important people in your life,” McLeod said. “Whatever you do, don’t cancel it.”

To see how Lattice’s software empowers teams to get more out of their one-on-ones, schedule a product tour.

50 Great One-on-One Meeting Questions for Managers and Employees (2024)

FAQs

What are good questions to ask employees about their managers? ›

Survey questions about manager trust and respect
  • Does your manager create a trusting and open environment?
  • Does your manager treat everyone on the team fairly?
  • Is your manager responsive to your ideas, requests, and suggestions?
  • When you approach your manager with a problem, do you trust they will listen?
23 Jun 2021

What should I ask my manager on a one-on-one meeting? ›

Asking your manager for resources. Being a team player. One-on-One Meeting Agenda Template.
...
5 Questions to show your manager that you're a team player
  • What can I do to help you / the team?
  • Do you have any challenges I might be able to help with?
  • What are your goals and objectives and what is my role in delivering these?
20 Apr 2020

What to talk about during a 1 on 1 with manager? ›

1-on-1 agendas should be collaborative. Managers should encourage direct reports to share what they would like to discuss. Common topics can include current goals, feedback, recognition, career aspirations, and more.

What are good questions to ask CEO at an all hands meeting? ›

Insightful questions to ask before, during, and after your all-hands meeting
  • What went well last quarter?
  • How could we have improved last quarter?
  • What projects are you most proud of?
  • Name a team member that went above and beyond expectations.

What are 5 questions to ask a employee? ›

And then doing something about it.
  • The 5 Questions. ...
  • "What do you like about your job?" ...
  • "Describe a good day of work you had recently?" ...
  • "Do you feel your skills are being utilized to the fullest?" ...
  • "Do you feel you get properly recognized for doing good work?" ...
  • "Do you feel like you are treated with respect?"
17 May 2017

How do you ask a smart question in a meeting? ›

How to ask the right questions in a meeting
  1. Clarify the purpose of the meeting.
  2. Question the questions.
  3. Broaden your group.
  4. Draw in quiet participants.
  5. Look to sustainability and scalability.
  6. Look for faults.
  7. Identify the next step.
14 Jun 2017

What are some fun questions to ask coworkers? ›

You can incorporate small games into the session which will be a laugh and leave everyone in high spirits.
  • Tell us two truths and a lie.
  • What's the weirdest you've ever done?
  • If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?
  • What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?
  • What's your favourite TV show?
24 Apr 2020

What questions should I ask senior management? ›

Strategic questions to ask senior leaders
  • What are the biggest challenges facing our industry?
  • How did you get where you are today?
  • What do you see as the next big trend in our field?
  • What are the biggest obstacles to career growth in our industry?
  • What are some tips for success in our field?
6 days ago

What are some questions to ask employees to improve performance? ›

Good questions:
  • What accomplishments this quarter are you most proud of?
  • Which goals did you meet? Which goals fell short?
  • What motivates you to get your job done?
  • What can I do to make your job more enjoyable?
  • What are your ideal working conditions to be the most productive?
2 Jan 2021

What are the best questions to ask employees? ›

1 Questions to monitor employee engagement
  • Do you feel that your work is appreciated?
  • What motivates you to come to work each day?
  • What is your favorite part of your job?
  • Is there anything about your job that you really don't like?
  • After [X] years at [company], how do you feel overall?
28 Aug 2020

What are the best questions to ask in a meeting? ›

The five questions I recommend are:
  • What is the most important thing we need to discuss today?
  • What are your most significant accomplishments since we last met?
  • What are the most important things you will focus on before we meet next?
  • What obstacles are you encountering right now?
28 May 2021

What are the best questions to ask a CFO during a meeting? ›

5 Questions the Small Business Owner Should Ask the Finance Manager or CFO
  • What's our cash position? ...
  • What from the dashboard (or other reporting framework) leaps out at you? ...
  • What, in your opinion, is our most important key metric? ...
  • What should IT spend its money on next year?

How do you make all hand Meetings fun? ›

From icebreakers to guest speakers to gameshows, here is a list of all hands meeting activities that maximize engagement and make the meeting fun.
  1. Start the session with ice breakers. ...
  2. Introduce new team members. ...
  3. Share company news. ...
  4. Invite a guest speaker. ...
  5. Hold a Q&A session with a guest speaker.
23 Jul 2022

Why managers must ask 5 questions to empower employees? ›

Managers need to consider these clues -- employees' natural yearnings, satisfaction, rapid learning, glimpses of excellence and total performance excellence -- when positioning people to do their best work and have a positive effect on team and organizational performance.

What new leaders should ask their employees? ›

Important questions to ask to become a better leader
  • A feeling of safety within the relationship.
  • Feeling appreciated for your contributions.
  • Experiencing personal and professional growth through workplace relationships.
1 Jun 2022

What are 10 questions to ask? ›

100 Getting to Know You Questions
  • Who is your hero?
  • If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
  • What is your biggest fear?
  • What is your favorite family vacation?
  • What would you change about yourself if you could?
  • What really makes you angry?
  • What motivates you to work hard?

What are core questions? ›

Core Question (Patton-Al-Zayadi-2021) A core question of a discipline is a question identified in the discipline's delineating theory as definitive of the discipline. 2021.

How do you ask an intelligent question at work? ›

How to ask smart questions
  1. Think about what you already know. Reviewing your existing knowledge on a subject can help you pinpoint any gaps. ...
  2. Confirm what you want to learn. ...
  3. Create a draft of your questions. ...
  4. Refine your questions. ...
  5. Ensure simplicity. ...
  6. Ask your questions confidently and politely.
18 Oct 2021

What are 5 random questions? ›

And now...for the most random questions ever!
  • If You Had Three Wishes, What Would You Wish For?
  • What Would You Rather Throw Away: Love Or Money?
  • What's The Most Beautiful Place You've Ever Seen?
  • What Was Your Fondest Memory Of High School?
  • What's Your Favorite TV Show?
  • What's The Strangest Thing In Your Refrigerator?
31 Jul 2020

What are some good 21 questions? ›

21 Questions List
  • What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
  • If you could travel to any year in a time machine, what year would you choose and why?
  • If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
  • What's one of the most fun childhood memories you have?
5 May 2021

What are top 3 ways to improve on performance at work? ›

13 ways to improve performance at work
  • Limit distractions. This is a tip many people know but rarely follow: limit your potential distractions. ...
  • Set milestones. ...
  • Set clear and achievable goals. ...
  • Avoid multitasking. ...
  • Improve your time management. ...
  • Do important tasks first. ...
  • Delegate tasks whenever possible. ...
  • Clear your workspace.
26 May 2022

How can I impress my boss in first meeting? ›

5 Ways to Impress Your Boss at a Meeting
  1. Make smart small talk. No one enjoys talking about work 100% of the time, not even managers and executives. ...
  2. Choose your meeting materials wisely. ...
  3. Respect your boss by respecting your own work. ...
  4. Ask intelligent questions. ...
  5. Finish with a strong call to action.

How do I run a one on one meeting? ›

Here are ten tips for having motivating and meaningful one-on-ones:
  1. Get it on the Calendar. Make your one-on-one meetings a recurring event and make them a priority. ...
  2. Have A Plan. ...
  3. Focus on Them. ...
  4. Celebrate Wins. ...
  5. Focus on the Future, not the Past. ...
  6. Specify Desired Results. ...
  7. Focus on Strengths. ...
  8. Ask Good Questions.

What are strategic leadership questions? ›

Being a Strategic Leader Is About Asking the Right Questions
  • What are we doing today?
  • Why are you doing the work you're doing? Why now?
  • How does what we're doing today align with the bigger picture?
  • What does success look like for our team?
  • What else could we do to achieve more, better, faster?
18 Jan 2017

What is a strategic question? ›

A strategic question digs deeper — it is a 'long lever' question that opens things wider and really stirs things up. A strategic question avoids “whys”, because these can come across as a challenge, provoking a defensive response.

How do you make small talk with senior management? ›

Tips for Making Small Talk With Bigwigs
  1. Do your homework. Learn the issues the senior team is focused on. ...
  2. Be yourself. When you are introduced to the senior leader, make eye contact as you shake hands. ...
  3. Read the situation.
22 Mar 2010

What questions should you ask your leadership team? ›

Questions to ask leaders for career growth
  • Who do you look up to for inspiration or mentorship? ...
  • What is one decision you wish you didn't make? ...
  • How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles? ...
  • What are the most important attributes of successful leaders today?

What are 5 employee responsibilities in the workplace? ›

Your responsibilities include:
  • following health and safety instructions provided by the employer.
  • correctly using personal protective equipment and clothing.
  • taking care to use equipment safely and for its intended purpose.
  • reporting hazards and potential problems without delay.
10 May 2018

How do you ask employees what motivates them? ›

Get regular feedback you can act upon by asking these 10 key employee motivation questions:
  1. In general, how motivated do you feel at work?
  2. How stimulating do you find day-to-day tasks?
  3. How inspired do you feel by your work goals?
  4. How well do you think you're growing in your role?
  5. How happy do you feel coming to work?

How well do you know me questions for coworkers? ›

Best get-to-know-you questions for work

What do you do at [Company] and in what circ*mstances would I come to you for something? What's one thing you wish you'd known when you started working at [Company] or what advice would you give to a newbie? What's one professional skill you're currently working on?

How do you get to know your team better? ›

All photos courtesy of Forbes Councils members.
  1. Play Games. ...
  2. Manage Like A Mentor. ...
  3. Ask Everyone The Same Question And Listen Carefully To Their Answers. ...
  4. Have Lunch With Them. ...
  5. Hold Town Hall Sessions. ...
  6. Be Authentic And Vulnerable With Them. ...
  7. Have Staff Members Re-Introduce Themselves At Meetings. ...
  8. Attend Company Social Gatherings.
5 Mar 2018

What questions should I ask the CEO of a town hall meeting? ›

2. What do you consider the company's major strengths? You can identify your CEO's priorities by asking this type of question during a town hall meeting. If they view employees as the ultimate driving force behind the company's operations, that would be your boss' way of motivating the whole team.

How do you engage employees in a meeting? ›

10 Ways to Re-engage Employees in Meetings
  1. Make meetings feel more like team-building exercises. ...
  2. Encourage employees to come out of their shell. ...
  3. Encourage group collaboration. ...
  4. Give credit where it is due. ...
  5. Offer learning lessons or activities. ...
  6. Free environment for meetings. ...
  7. Give feedback as well.

What questions can an employee ask a CEO? ›

10 questions to ask your CEO
  • What do you expect from the company's team members? ...
  • What is the one thing you would change about this company? ...
  • Why did you start this company? ...
  • What do you think is the biggest strength of this company right now? ...
  • What have been the biggest challenges you've faced so far?
22 Nov 2021

What should be discussed in all hands meeting? ›

All hands meetings are a perfect opportunity to discuss organizational goals, company culture, and news. A successful all hands meeting leaves attendees inspired, engaged, and motivated to do the best work of their career.

What should be discussed at staff meetings? ›

4 What should be included in a staff meeting?
  • Meeting objectives.
  • Recognition of team member achievements.
  • Notable organizational changes or accomplishments.
  • Points to be discussed.
  • Organizational goals.
  • Team member updates and goals.
  • Action items.

What should I ask the CFO in all hands meeting? ›

The Questions

What are the key drivers to transform the profitability of our business? What products are the most profitable? What are the main reasons for quarterly Gross Margin & Net Margin movements over the last 12 months? What are our most successful distribution channels?

What do you do at an all staff meeting? ›

What is an all-staff meeting? An all-hands meeting simply means a company-wide meeting, where all of the employees are invited to attend. These meetings bring the whole team together to check in with each other, communicate status updates, progress, any obstacles that need to be overcome, and to track goals.

How do you make staff meetings more fun? ›

8 team bonding activities to make your regular staff meetings fun
  1. Show and tell. For a fun way to move into your next meeting, try a quick round of show and tell. ...
  2. Caption contest. ...
  3. Play “would you rather?” ...
  4. Best backdrop contest. ...
  5. Guess the location. ...
  6. Joke of the day. ...
  7. Scavenger hunt. ...
  8. Guess the picture.
23 Sept 2022

How do you introduce yourself in all-hands meeting? ›

Tips to introducing yourself in a meeting
  1. Share your background.
  2. Practice your introduction.
  3. Consider your body language.
  4. Dress appropriately.
  5. Keep it short and sweet.
  6. Show that you care.
  7. Share your reason for attending the meeting.
  8. Let your personality shine.
18 Mar 2022

What are some good questions to ask your employees? ›

1 Questions to monitor employee engagement
  • Do you feel that your work is appreciated?
  • What motivates you to come to work each day?
  • What is your favorite part of your job?
  • Is there anything about your job that you really don't like?
  • After [X] years at [company], how do you feel overall?
28 Aug 2020

What new leaders should ask their employees? ›

Important questions to ask to become a better leader
  • A feeling of safety within the relationship.
  • Feeling appreciated for your contributions.
  • Experiencing personal and professional growth through workplace relationships.
1 Jun 2022

What are good 360 feedback questions? ›

Open-Ended 360-Degree Review Sample Questions
  • What would you say are this employee's strengths?
  • What is one thing this employee should start doing?
  • What is one thing this employee should continue doing?
  • What is one thing this employee should stop doing?
  • How well does this person manage their time and workload?
19 Apr 2021

Why managers must ask 5 questions to empower employees? ›

Managers need to consider these clues -- employees' natural yearnings, satisfaction, rapid learning, glimpses of excellence and total performance excellence -- when positioning people to do their best work and have a positive effect on team and organizational performance.

What is a powerful question? ›

Powerful questions are open ended and empower the person responding to choose the direction they take. They create possibilities and encourage discovery, deeper understanding, and new insights. They are curious and non-judgmental as they seek to further learning and connection.

What questions should I ask senior management? ›

Strategic questions to ask senior leaders
  • What are the biggest challenges facing our industry?
  • How did you get where you are today?
  • What do you see as the next big trend in our field?
  • What are the biggest obstacles to career growth in our industry?
  • What are some tips for success in our field?
6 days ago

What are 5 employee responsibilities in the workplace? ›

Your responsibilities include:
  • following health and safety instructions provided by the employer.
  • correctly using personal protective equipment and clothing.
  • taking care to use equipment safely and for its intended purpose.
  • reporting hazards and potential problems without delay.
10 May 2018

What are the best questions to ask leaders? ›

Where do the great ideas come from in your organization? Which is most important to your organization—mission, core values or vision? How do you or other leaders in your organization communicate the core values? How do you encourage others in your organization to communicate the “core values”?

What should a new leader do in the first 90 days? ›

Watkins's approach is to break down a new manager's first 90 days into 10 separate directives: Prepare Yourself; Accelerate Your Learning; Match Strategy to Situation; Negotiate Success; Secure Early Wins; Achieve Alignment; Build Your Team; Create Alliances; Manage Yourself; and Accelerate Everyone.

What are the best questions to ask in a survey? ›

Good Survey Questions: 12 Essential Questions to Ask
  • Question #1: What was the purpose of your visit today? ...
  • Question #2: Were you able to complete the purpose of your visit today? ...
  • Question #3: What other products or services should we offer? ...
  • Question #4: Where exactly did you first find out about us?

How do you survey your team? ›

How to survey your employees – and why it's so important
  1. Design the survey to get the information you want. ...
  2. Make the survey detailed enough to give you information you can use. ...
  3. Tell staff in advance. ...
  4. Do what you can to make sure you get truthful answers. ...
  5. Encourage people to take the survey.
30 Jun 2016

How do you reward employees fairly? ›

10 Great Ways to Reward Employees Fairly
  1. Pay The Living Wage. ...
  2. Create a Transparent Reward System. ...
  3. Avoid Favouritism. ...
  4. Recognise Top Performers. ...
  5. Pay Bonuses Fast. ...
  6. Reward Teamwork. ...
  7. Ensure Equal Opportunities. ...
  8. Run Regular Competitions.
22 Jan 2016

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