Most 1:1s are status updates in disguise.

"How's your week?" "What are you working on?" "Any blockers?" These are fine questions if you want a progress report. They're not useful if you want to know how someone is actually doing.

A better 1:1 starts with a question that can't be answered with a bullet point.

Eight questions that surface what's actually going on

1. What's something you've found genuinely hard this month?
2. What's something you're proud of that hasn't been formally recognised?
3. What part of your work do you find most draining right now?
4. What part do you find most energising?
5. Is there anything you're working around that I should know about?
6. What's something you've wanted to raise that you've been holding back?
7. What do you need more of from me right now?
8. What would make your work feel more meaningful?

More questions in the Team deck

GoDeeper's Team and 1:1 deck has questions for 1:1s, group sessions, offsites, and closing reflections — built to make the conversations that matter easier to start.

One good question per 1:1 is enough. The goal is to make it safe for someone to say what's actually true.

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Related

• Team offsite conversation starters →
• GoDeeper for work →