Employee Questions for 1:1 meetings.
1:1 meetings should never be one-sided. Previously, I shared a list of questions managers can use to get more out of their conversations.
This time, it is about you as the employee.
Your 1:1 is a chance to get direct time with your manager. Use it well. The right questions will help you understand expectations, grow your skills, and shape your career path.
There are hundreds of questions for these conversations, but I've captured some of the best that I have been asked over the years.
Feel free to reuse these for yourself.
If you have some better suggestions, I'd love to hear them - add them in the comments below.
About Performance and Feedback
- How do you think I am performing compared to expectations?
- Are there areas where you would like me to improve?
- Can you share an example of something I did really well recently?
- What is the one thing I could do that would make the biggest difference?
- Am I focusing on the right priorities from your perspective?
About Career Growth and Development
- What skills do you think I should focus on developing right now?
- How do you see my role evolving over the next year?
- What does career progression look like for someone in my position?
- Are there opportunities for me to take on more responsibility?
- Who in the organisation would you recommend I learn from or connect with?
About Manager Expectations and Working Style
- How do you prefer I share updates with you?
- Is there anything you need from me that I am not currently providing?
- Do you want me to involve you earlier when problems come up?
- How do you like me to bring you new ideas, as rough drafts or as polished proposals?
- What is the best way for me to make your job easier?
About Team and Organistion Context
- What are the team’s biggest priorities right now?
- How does my work contribute to the wider goals of the company?
- Are there any upcoming changes I should be aware of?
- Where do you see the biggest risks or challenges for our team?
- How can I support the team more effectively this week/month/quarter?
About Learning and Opportunities
- Are there projects coming up where I could stretch myself?
- What resources or training would you recommend for me?
- Could you suggest someone I could shadow or collaborate with?
- If you were in my position, what would you focus on developing first?
- Are there cross-team opportunities I should explore?
About Wellbeing & Workload
- Does my current workload look sustainable to you?
- Are there tasks you would recommend I deprioritise?
- How do you approach maintaining your own work-life balance?
- What signs do you look for when someone is close to burnout?
- Is the way I am working aligned with expectations?
Sharing feedback with your manager
- What is one thing I could do differently to support you better?
- How do you prefer I give you feedback if I spot an issue?
- Do you feel I push back enough when I disagree, or not enough?
- Is there anything I do that makes your work harder?
- How can I be a stronger partner to you day to day?
Your 1:1 is your chance to take control of your own development and working environment. Do not wait for your manager to drive the conversation.
Use these questions to make sure you are getting what you need.
For further suggestions on how you can manage your manager - see my guide to managing upwards.
Member discussion