One-on-One Meeting Template

A one on one meeting template gives each 1:1 between a manager and a team member a simple, repeatable structure. You both add topics before the meeting, take short notes during it, and track action items afterwards. This free template makes it easy to prepare, stay focused, and follow up on what you agreed.

What is a one on one meeting template?

A one-on-one, or 1:1, is a recurring meeting between two people, usually a manager and someone on their team. It is time set aside for topics that don't fit in team meetings: how work is going, what is getting in the way, feedback in both directions, and longer-term goals. The team member often drives the agenda, and the manager listens and helps.

A one on one meeting template is a shared doc that holds the 1:1 meeting agenda and the notes from every session. It works for weekly check-ins, monthly catch-ups, and longer coaching sessions. Because each meeting builds on the last, you can look back and see what you discussed, what changed, and which promises are still open. Regular 1:1s also make feedback a habit. As Slite's CEO Chris puts it, "1:1s are a kind of ceremony to force continuous improvement".

What does a one on one meeting template include?

A one on one meeting template covers a check-in, priorities, blockers, feedback, growth, and action items. Each section should take a few minutes, leaving most of the time for that week's main topics.

Check-in

How the person is doing, at work and in general. One or two minutes to see how they are before getting into work. Some teams use a quick score from 1 to 5 to track energy over time.

Priorities and progress

What they are working on and what has moved since last time. Keep it to the top two or three items. Link to the project doc or ticket instead of repeating every detail.

Blockers

Anything slowing them down, and what the manager can do to help, by when. This can be a decision, an introduction, or simply more context on a priority.

Feedback

Feedback in both directions. The manager shares one thing to keep doing and one thing to change, and asks for the same in return.

Growth

Goals, skills, and career topics. Bring this up at least once a month, even when the week is busy and other topics feel more urgent. Note the skills the person wants to build and any training or projects that could help.

Action items

What each person will do before the next meeting, with an owner for each item. Start the next 1:1 by checking these.

Three types of one-on-one meetings

The team at Front runs three kinds of 1:1s, each with its own template. Using a different structure for each type keeps the meetings focused and makes them easier to prepare.

The first one-on-one

Get to know each other, share how you like to work, and set expectations. Talk about how often you will meet, how you prefer to get feedback, and what the first few months should look like. Write the answers down so you can revisit them later.

Regular weekly or monthly one-on-ones

Check in on priorities, blockers, and feedback in both directions. Use the standard 1:1 meeting agenda above for these. Keep these short and steady, and save the big topics for coaching sessions.

Coaching sessions

Occasional, deeper conversations focused on growth and career goals. Plan these every quarter or so, and give both people time to prepare. Look at where the person wants to be in a year or two, and which next steps would get them there.

How to run a one-on-one meeting

Six steps help you run each 1:1, from setting the cadence to following up.

1. Set a regular cadence

Weekly or every two weeks works for most teams. New team members often need more frequent check-ins in their first months. Put a recurring 30-minute slot in the calendar and protect it. Move it when you need to, and avoid cancelling it so the person keeps a reliable slot.

2. Build the agenda together

Both people add topics to the shared doc during the week, as things come up. The team member's topics go first. The manager adds theirs below. If a topic needs a decision from someone else, invite them to a separate meeting instead.

3. Prepare with a few one-on-one questions

Pick one or two questions each time to open up topics that may not come up otherwise:

• What is the most useful thing I could help with this week?
• What is taking more of your time than it should?
• Is there anything you are unsure about in your work right now?
• What is one thing I could do differently as your manager?
• What would you like to be doing more of six months from now?

4. Listen more than you talk

As a manager, aim to let the team member speak most of the time. Ask follow-up questions before giving advice. Sometimes the person only needs to think out loud. Save status updates for written channels so the 1:1 stays for real conversation.

5. Write notes and action items as you go

Take short notes in the doc during the meeting. Before you finish, agree on the action items and who owns each one. Add a due date when it matters. Keep sensitive topics out of shared notes, or agree together on what gets written down.

6. Follow up and look back

Open the next 1:1 by reviewing last time's action items. Every few months, read back through past notes together to spot patterns and progress. Tip: these notes are a big help when it is time for a performance review, since the examples are already written down.

What can a one on one meeting template do for me?

• Better preparation. Both people know what will be discussed before the meeting starts.
• Problems surface earlier. Regular time for blockers means small issues get fixed before they grow. People also raise concerns sooner when they know a slot is coming.
• Feedback becomes normal. Asking for feedback every week makes it easier to give and receive.
• A record of growth. Notes over time show progress, which helps with reviews and promotions.
• Easier handovers. If a team member changes manager, the new manager can read past notes with their permission and pick up where things left off.
• Consistency across the team. Every manager runs 1:1s with the same basics, so no one gets left out.

For team-level conversations, pair 1:1s with a shared meeting agenda and a regular team performance review. Our guide on how to run effective team meetings covers the group side. People teams can also see how Slite supports human resources.

How can I get started with the free one on one meeting template?

Duplicate the template into your Slite workspace and create one doc for each person you meet with. Before each meeting, both of you add topics to the agenda. During the meeting, take short notes and write down action items. Keep the notes in the same doc over time, newest at the top, so you can look back on past conversations and see progress.