The Two-Minute 1:1 Upgrade
One small change to your 1:1s that makes feedback feel safer. Takes two minutes. No training required.
Most 1:1s start the same way: "So, how's everything going?"
It's a trap. The question is too big. People default to "fine" and you spend 20 minutes on surface-level updates.
Try this instead: Start with two minutes of silent writing.
Both people write down what's actually on their mind. No talking. Just two minutes with a blank page.
Then share.
It works because writing bypasses the social reflex to say everything is okay. The silence gives people permission to think. And going first (by sharing what you wrote) signals that honesty is safe.
You don't need a new 1:1 framework. You don't need manager training. You just need a timer and two minutes of quiet before you start talking.
The nudge: Try it in your next 1:1. Set a timer. Write. Then share what you wrote first.
