(AI Gen) Let's Talk 1:1
Hey, everyone. Welcome back for another deep dive with us.
Speaker 2:Always a pleasure.
Speaker 1:Today, we're really diving into something I think we all can relate to, 1 on 1 meetings with our managers. You know, those meetings that can sometimes feel, well, a bit routine?
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. I've definitely been there.
Speaker 1:But what if we told you those meetings could actually be a secret weapon, like a real game changer for your career growth?
Speaker 2:Now that's something I wanna hear more
Speaker 1:about. We actually stumbled across this really insightful blog post by Durko Swanpool over at Empower Engineering, and it got us thinking.
Speaker 2:Empower Engineering. I've seen their stuff before. Always interesting takes.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And Durko, well, he doesn't just talk the talk. He's a software engineer himself.
Speaker 2:Oh, so he knows the grind firsthand.
Speaker 1:Right. And he's had this really cool career journey too. Everything from property platforms to Fintech.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's diverse.
Speaker 1:And now he's at Empower, which is all about fair access to credit. You can kinda see how his values might shape his thinking on, well, pretty much everything.
Speaker 2:Definitely. Makes you wonder what does he see differently about these 1 on ones.
Speaker 1:Well, one of his big points is that they're a golden opportunity, like a chance to build real trust with your manager.
Speaker 2:In a way you can't in a big team meeting.
Speaker 1:Exactly. It's that private space to just, you know, talk openly about your goals, the stuff you're struggling with, even your big dreams for the future.
Speaker 2:And it's your meeting. It's not just about your manager dictating the agenda. It's your time to shine, to bring your own stuff to the table.
Speaker 1:He's big on owning the conversation, figuring out what works best for you, how often to meet, even what time of day. You gotta make sure you're both fully present.
Speaker 2:Yeah. No point in squeezing it in between a 1000000 other things.
Speaker 1:One thing that really struck me was his point about coming prepared, like, actually having an agenda.
Speaker 2:Seems simple. Right?
Speaker 1:But it's huge, EE.
Speaker 2:Oh, I can imagine. Shows you're taking it seriously.
Speaker 1:Yeah. You value your manager's time. You've put thought into what you want to achieve. Sets the stage for a really productive discussion.
Speaker 2:Make you look good too. Like, you're proactive.
Speaker 1:And Durko doesn't stop there. He's all about making those discussions count, taking good notes, defining action items. Gotta keep things moving. Right?
Speaker 2:You got it. Otherwise, those great ideas just vanish into the ether. Poof. Action items and accountability, that's the key. Making sure those 1 on ones actually lead to tangible results.
Speaker 1:Outcomes, not just outputs. Right? I like his style.
Speaker 2:Right. Now this is where things got really interesting for me. Durko talks about how to breathe life back into those 1 on ones that have become a bit, well, routine.
Speaker 1:Oh, I know those meetings. You're just going through the motions.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And Durko suggests a really cool approach, shifting the focus from just tactical updates to those big picture strategic discussions.
Speaker 1:Like, what? Give me an example.
Speaker 2:He suggests talking about your long term career goals, like where do you wanna be in 5 years, 10 years.
Speaker 1:I love that. Shows ambition.
Speaker 2:And he even suggests brainstorming ways to tackle those bigger challenges that the whole organization is facing.
Speaker 1:So you're not just reporting on what you've done. You're actually contributing to the bigger picture. Exactly. You're showing that you're not just focused on checking things off your to do list, but that you're thinking ahead, thinking strategically about how you can add real value.
Speaker 2:That's powerful stuff.
Speaker 1:And it all starts with those one on ones. Who knew? Right?
Speaker 2:It's like those meetings hold a hidden potential.
Speaker 1:They do. Yeah. And Durko has given us the key to unlock it.
Speaker 2:Now I'm even more curious to hear what else he has to say. And, you know, it really makes you think about empower as a company.
Speaker 1:In what way?
Speaker 2:Well, they're really all about empowering engineers. Right? Like, giving them the tools and the freedom to be innovative to make a real difference.
Speaker 1:A culture of ownership? Yeah. I can see that.
Speaker 2:So it kinda makes sense that they'd encourage this kind of proactive thinking even in something as simple as a 1 on 1.
Speaker 1:It's all connected.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And Durga has some really concrete tips too, like coming prepared with questions for your manager, not just waiting for them to grill you.
Speaker 1:Down the tables.
Speaker 2:Right. Like, instead of just giving a status update, you might ask for their advice on something, a challenge you're facing, or how to approach a tricky situation.
Speaker 1:Get their perspective.
Speaker 2:Exactly. You could even propose a new idea, something you think could benefit the team.
Speaker 1:So you're not just passively receiving information, but actively seeking ways to learn and grow? Love that.
Speaker 2:It's about being a driver, not a passenger. And he really emphasizes this idea of using those meetings to talk about your career development, not just the project you're working on right now, but the big picture.
Speaker 1:Your aspirations, the skills you need to develop even potential opportunities within the company.
Speaker 2:It's your chance to map out your own path. Instead of just hoping someone will notice your hard work and hand you a promotion, you're taking charge.
Speaker 1:Okay. But let's be real for a second. What about those tough conversations, the the ones where you might need to give your manager feedback or address a conflict?
Speaker 2:Oh. Yeah. Those can be tricky.
Speaker 1:Durko has some really good advice, though, for handling those gracefully and professionally.
Speaker 2:Like what?
Speaker 1:He says to focus on solutions, not blame, and use I statements to express your thoughts and feelings.
Speaker 2:Oh, like instead of you always do this Yeah. You might say, I feel frustrated when this happens.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Yeah. It's subtle, but it makes a huge e difference. Yeah. De escalates the situation and creates a space for problem solving.
Speaker 2:Collaboration, not confrontation.
Speaker 1:He also stresses active listening. Really trying to understand your manager's perspective even if you don't agree with it.
Speaker 2:Building empathy, finding common ground, crucial for resolving conflict effectively.
Speaker 1:And he reminds us that disagreement isn't always bad. It can actually be a chance for growth as long as it's handled respectfully.
Speaker 2:Makes you think about those remote and hybrid work situations. It's even more important to be intentional about those conversations when you're not face to face all the time.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Gotta make the most of that time, whether it's in person or virtual. Durco has tips for that too, like being mindful of your virtual presence, making sure you're in a well lit, quiet space, minimizing distractions.
Speaker 2:So no kids running around in the
Speaker 1:background? Ideally not. And being clear and concise in your communication, because it can be harder to read those nonverbal cues online. Right?
Speaker 2:Tone of voice, body language, all that.
Speaker 1:Exactly. Gotta make sure your message is crystal clear, and don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you're not sure about something.
Speaker 2:Good communication is key, always.
Speaker 1:Okay. So back to Durko's post. There was something that really stood out to me. This idea of viewing your one on ones as a way to contribute to the success of the whole team and even the entire organization.
Speaker 2:Not just your own little bubble.
Speaker 1:Exactly. He wants us to think bigger, use those meetings to brainstorm ideas, share insights, and even offer solutions to problems that the team's facing.
Speaker 2:So you're not just focused on your own tasks, but on the bigger picture.
Speaker 1:And you're leveraging your unique skills and perspective to make a positive impact.
Speaker 2:Being a valuable team player, I like it.
Speaker 1:It's so easy to get caught up in our own little world. Right? But Durko reminds us that our one on ones are a chance to step back and think about how we could truly make a difference.
Speaker 2:Contribute to the collective success.
Speaker 1:Exactly. And that's why this whole thing from Durko over at Empower really resonated with me. It's this whole mindset shift. Right? It's not just a how to have a better meeting thing.
Speaker 1:It's, like, reframing how you see those 1 on ones altogether.
Speaker 2:It's interesting how he ties it all back to Empower's mission too, you know, that whole fair access to credit thing.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Like, it's not just about individual success. Yeah. It's about using your skills and your position to make a positive impact on the world.
Speaker 2:And I bet that comes through in their company culture too.
Speaker 1:You know what? I haven't even thought about that, but I bet you're right.
Speaker 2:Like, they probably walk the walk. They don't just talk about empowering people. They actually do it.
Speaker 1:And that probably creates this really cool environment where people feel supported and encouraged to grow and take risks.
Speaker 2:Which ultimately leads to better results for everyone. It's a win win.
Speaker 1:So what's the big takeaway here for our listeners?
Speaker 2:Don't underestimate those one on ones. They're not just a box to check off your to do list.
Speaker 1:They can be a real turning point in your career if you use them right. Be prepared, come with an agenda, and don't be afraid to steer the conversation.
Speaker 2:Talk about your ambitions, your goals, and how you can contribute to the bigger picture.
Speaker 1:It's your time to shine.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And remember, it's a two way street. It's not just about what you can get from your manager. It's about what you can give back to the team and to the company.
Speaker 1:Couldn't have said it better myself. So if you're ready to transform those 1 on ones from to amazing, go check out Durko's post on the Empower Engineering blog. You won't regret it.
Speaker 2:And who knows? Maybe you'll even be inspired to join their mission and help make a real difference in the world.
Speaker 1:That's a great thought. Well, that's all the time we have for today.
Speaker 2:Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1:It was great having you.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And to all our listeners out there, thanks for joining us on another deep dive. We'll catch you next time.