So your new boss wants to meet…now what?

The 12 do's and don'ts for a career boosting encounter

With every leadership role in my career, I have met every employee face to face, shook their hand and looked them in the eye as I acknowledged them. Ideally, I would also have the opportunity to sit 1-on-1 with each of them for an hour over lunch to get comfortable with each other and share our thoughts and perspectives.

Unfortunately, most of these encounters only allow 10 or 15 minutes with each employee, so it’s essential to maximize every minute. My go-to style in these situations is to let the employee take the conversation in any direction they choose. I want them to feel it was time well spent, no matter the duration.

For some, this is a very positive experience, and both the employee and I take vital learnings away, even if it’s a simple getting-to-know-you chat. For others, however, the opportunity is missed because they are too focused on themselves, their ego, and generally all the wrong things.

So if you ever find yourself on the employee side of a 1-on-1 with a newly appointed leader, take some tips from my do’s and don’ts to ensure you knock it out of the park.

Do

1. Remember, you may not get a second chance to make a first impression.

2. Ask questions about the essential things first because you may run out of time, or the leader may get pulled in a different direction.

3. Be accountable and honest with topics you have direct control or influence over.

4. Show that you are aware of current market realities or have made efforts to understand them.

5. Share your successful and failed attempts at improving the organization.

6. Talk about your customers (internal & external) and how their needs are being met (or not).

Don’t

1. Speak on behalf of others (unless they are safety or other company policy concerns).

2. Blame failed outcomes on other people or departments.

3. Be afraid to ask questions or get clarity on a subject you are unsure about.

4. Assume your past employee experiences are an indicator of your next employee experience.

5. Miss the opportunity to have a candid conversation about the state of the organization and how you can contribute to its success.

6. Try to sell yourself. Let colleagues talk about your contributions to the team.

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Ryan