Did your boss just text you to schedule a last-minute 1-on-1 meeting?
Don’t panic! This can be a great opportunity to discuss things candidly and build a stronger working relationship with your manager. But, it’s important to mentally prep for such meetings so you make the most of the time you have.
In this post, we will share some tips on how to organize yourself for an impromptu 1-on-1 meeting with your manager.
It’s normal to feel nervous before a 1-on-1 meeting
It’s normal to feel anxious but there’s no need to fear. The best way to approach it is to go in with an open mind and be prepared to listen. Your manager is probably going to have some feedback for you, so be sure to pay close attention and take notes.
Understand the purpose of the meeting
Is your manager just checking in with you? Is he or she giving you feedback? Is this a more formal meeting to discuss your goals and progress? Once you know the purpose of the meeting, you can start mentally prepping for it.
If it’s a check-in, for example, then you might want to review your recent work and prepare some talking points. If it’s a feedback meeting, then you will want to make sure that you have specific examples of times when you went above and beyond or made a mistake.
No matter what the purpose of the meeting is, always be ready to talk about your work and what you’ve been up to. And most importantly, stay calm.
Be aware of your body language
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Remember, your boss is going to be reading your nonverbal cues to get a sense of how you’re feeling. So if you walk in with your shoulders slumped and your head down, they’re going to think that you’re not confident in what they have to say.
On the other hand, if you walk in with a smile on your face and your head held high, they will know that you’re ready to have a productive conversation. So make sure to put your best foot forward and show them that you’re open to whatever they are about to throw at you.
Come prepared with questions
Coming prepared with questions is one of the most satisfactory ways to make the most out of any meeting, whether it’s planned or impromptu.
When you have questions ready, it shows your manager that you’re taking the meeting seriously and that you’re interested in having a dialogue. It also allows you to learn more about any new company developments and your role within them.
Plus, if there are any issues or concerns you would like to discuss, having questions ready will help make sure that those are covered during the meeting. So, make sure to come ready with queries for your next 1-on-1 meeting with your manager!
You’ve been called into a meeting with your manager, and you have no idea what it’s about. Don’t worry. Relax and take some deep breaths—you want to appear confident, even if you’re feeling anything but that. And most notably, don’t forget to listen. One of the smartest ways to make the most of a 1-on-1 meeting is by actively listening. You can always follow up with your manager after the meeting to clarify any unclear points if necessary.