Giving and receiving feedback is a crucial part of personal and professional growth, and one-on-one (1:1) meetings provide the perfect setting to make it meaningful. When done right, these interactions build trust, strengthen relationships, and empower both managers and employees to achieve their best work. Here’s how to master the art of feedback and run highly effective 1:1s.
Importance of Feedback
Feedback is more than pointing out what’s working or what isn’t. It’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and open communication. However, research shows that feedback is critical to helping employees be more engaged, feel connected to the culture, and be more motivated (Clifton & Harter, 2023; Gallup, 2023; Mclain & Nelson, 2022).
Giving and Receiving Feedback
When giving feedback, always think “timely and thoughtful”. Feedback is best given ‘in the moment’ when it’s simple, needs to be heard in real time, and is in a 1:1 setting. Feedback needs to be more thoughtful when it’s a more complex situation, it will take a while to fix, or if emotions are running high.
The other key thing to keep in mind is your feedback should be fact-based and specific. The best way to do this is to use some kind of structure when you give feedback. We suggest grounding your feedback in the Situation-Behavior- Impact (SBI) model (CCL, 2022). Start by describing the context – the specific situation in which you saw this happen. Next, describe the behavior in a non-judgmental way
Running Effective 1:1 Meetings
Conclusion
Mastering the art of feedback and running effective 1:1s is a game-changer for building strong, engaged teams. By preparing thoughtfully, delivering feedback with care, and fostering open dialogue, you can create a culture of trust and growth.
Sources
- Clifton & Harter, Culture Shock. (2023)
- Gallup. Empowering Workplace Culture Through Recognition. (2023)
- Mclain & Nelson, How Effective Feedback Fuels Performance. (2022)
- Center for Creative Leadership, Closing the Gap between Intent and Impact (2022). https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/closing-the-gap-between-intent-vs-impact-sbii/
