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I'm surprised to see most comments mentioning weekly 1:1s. In my experience I've found that every other week is plenty. Do your direct reports really find something to talk about every week?

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Yes. Because the scope is so broad and the purpose is investing in our relationship, my directs often have so much to talk about that we have topics still untouched at the end of 30 minutes. This is universal across my whole team: extroverts and introverts, junior and senior.

Sometimes they don’t have much to talk about. Then I’ll give extra feedback or talk strategy. Less than 5% of my 1:1’s end early.

It wasn’t always like this. We had to build trust and get in the habit of talking. Some new people think it’s weird for a month or two but I’ve never had anyone say it was a waste of time after that.

Perhaps. Or, here's a counterpoint. After a month or two they all learned that they should humor your weekly make-work for them by spending extra time to "come prepared" and "fill the meeting".

i don't know your reports, of course, so could be wrong. But i'm guessing your reports, aren't all that interested with a relationship with you. They are obligated to do some amount of kissing up, are spending the time wondering what amount is enough.

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