Once upon a time, in a bustling tech company, there was a team of brilliant developers who were tasked with creating cutting-edge software applications. Most of these developers were introverts who preferred to work alone and shied away from social interactions.
One day, the company's management realized that there was a problem with the team's productivity. Despite having the best tools and resources, the team was not performing up to its potential. That's when they decided to take a closer look at the team's morale and happiness.
The management team decided to implement a system of 1:1s, where each developer would have a private meeting with their manager to discuss their work, career progress, and any issues they were facing. The goal was to monitor employee health and prevent burnout, work/life imbalance, and unexpected resignations.
As a result, the 1:1s became an essential tool for the management team to turn the ship around. They were able to defuse ticking time bombs before they exploded, avoiding surprises when they were least expected. They were also able to boost productivity by addressing any issues that were hindering the team's performance.
"Ninety minutes of your time can enhance the quality of your subordinate's work for two weeks, or for some eighty-plus hours"
The management team was inspired by Andy Grove, the former CEO of Intel, who wrote about the value of 1:1s. He said, "Ninety minutes of your time can enhance the quality of your subordinate's work for two weeks, or for some eighty-plus hours." The team leaders found this to be true and were able to see a significant improvement in the team's productivity and morale.
In the end, the management team realized that getting their 1:1s right was critical for the success of their team and they were able to boost productivity and keep their team members happy and engaged.
