Run a 1:1 That Actually Moves Your Career

The idea

A 1:1 is your recurring private meeting with your manager — and it's yours to drive, not just attend. Most people show up empty and recite status (which could have been an email), so nothing changes. The fix is to bring a simple agenda every time: progress (what moved, briefly), blockers (where you need help or a decision), and growth (one thing about your development or career). That structure turns a wasted status call into the place where you get unblocked, stay visible, and steer your trajectory.

Who is this for?

What you'll get

Watch

Jeff Su · practical guide · ~6 min · 426K views

Do the challenge

1. 1Prep 3 lines before the meeting

   Five minutes before your next 1:1, jot three things: one progress highlight, one blocker (with the specific help or decision you need), and one growth item. That prep is 90% of the skill.

   💡 Keep a running 1:1 note between meetings — drop things in as they come up. By meeting time the agenda has written itself.

2. 2Lead with the blocker that needs a decision

   Don't bury the important ask under status. Early in the meeting, raise the blocker and the specific decision or help you need. This is where a manager adds the most value — use the time for it.

3. 3Make growth a standing item

   Every 1:1, raise one development thing: a skill you're building, feedback you want, a stretch task, or a step toward your next role. Asked regularly, growth becomes a normal topic instead of an awkward annual one.

4. 4Close with a recap

   End by restating what was decided and who does what next (just like a meeting recap). Send a one-line follow-up if useful. It keeps both of you accountable and makes you look organised.

   💡 Help me prep for my 1:1 with my manager. Here's what's happened this week and what I'm stuck on: [brain-dump]. Turn it into a tight 3-part agenda: (1) one progress highlight, (2) the one blocker + the specific decision/help I should ask for, (3) one growth/development item. Keep each to one or two lines.

MY 1:1 AGENDA — bring this to every meeting (prep in 5 min)

DATE: ______   MANAGER: ______

① PROGRESS (one highlight — brief, not a full status dump)
• ______________________________

② BLOCKER (where I need a decision or help — lead with this)
• The blocker: ______________
• What I need from you: [decision / intro / cover / unblock]

③ GROWTH (one development item — every single time)
• [skill I'm building / feedback I want / stretch task / next-role step]
• ______________________________

CLOSE: what we decided + who does what next
• ______________________________

(Keep a running note between 1:1s so this writes itself.)