How do I run 1:1s that actually help?

Questions CTOs ask

How often should engineering managers hold 1:1 meetings?

Weekly 30-minute 1:1s are the gold standard for engineering managers, with the option to extend to 45-60 minutes for direct reports who need more support (new hires, underperformers, or employees going through difficult periods). Biweekly 1:1s can work for very senior, autonomous reports but should never be less frequent than every two weeks. Skip-level 1:1s (with your reports' reports) should happen monthly or quarterly to maintain organizational awareness and provide an alternate feedback channel.

What should you discuss in a 1:1 meeting with engineers?

Effective 1:1s follow a three-part structure: their agenda first (blockers, concerns, career development, feedback — this should take 60-70% of the time), your agenda second (context sharing, project updates, organizational changes), and action items to close (clear owners and deadlines). Avoid using 1:1s for status updates — those belong in standups or async tools. Instead, focus on coaching, career growth, interpersonal challenges, and building trust. Keep a running document of discussion topics and action items between meetings.