Management

Boss

Questions to ask

• Where have I had the most impact over the past few months, from your perspective?
• What kinds of things, from your perspective, do I have a habit of missing or dismissing too quickly
• What’s hard for you in your job?
• How do you prioritize your time?
• You’re really exceptional at X. How do you do it so well?
• What’s your biggest problem, and how can I help?

Managing up takeaways

• Understand your manager's work
• Make it easy to present your work
• Make your boss look good
• Ask for advices, not feedback
• Understand how he consumes information and push it

Engineering manager

One on One

Get a running block note with 2 sections per direct report: Meeting notes and Running feedback.

As a manager come prepared with questions; listen, take notes, keep promises, and follow up

8 questions

• How's life
• What are you worried about right now?
• What rumors are you hearing that you think I should know about?
• If you could be proud of one accomplishment between now and next year, what would it be?
• What are your biggest time wasters?
• Would you like more or less direction from me?
• Would you like more or less feedback on your work? If so, what additional feedback would you like?
• Are there any decisions you’re hung up on?

After the meeting, email the key takeaway and action items. Keep track in the notebook.

Credits

• 10 questions I wish I’d asked more to turbocharge my career
• The Day You Became A Better Writer
• Managing up
• Essential meeting as a manager
• 7 ways to prepare for an effective one-to-one with you manager
• Making sure your employees succeed