Skip navigation

How to make your quarterly one-on-one meetings more effective

Include these five components to enhance the productivity and impact of your quarterly one-on-one meetings.

A man and woman sit at a round table during their quarterly one-on-one meeting. They’re smiling and engaging in conversation with a laptop open in front of each. They are in a casual office space with a stairway in the background, suggesting a relaxed but productive meeting environment.A man and woman sit at a round table during their quarterly one-on-one meeting. They’re smiling and engaging in conversation with a laptop open in front of each. They are in a casual office space with a stairway in the background, suggesting a relaxed but productive meeting environment.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Quarterly one-on-one meetings are pivotal for managers and their teams to align on expectations, review progress and plan for the future. These interactions provide a structured opportunity to reflect on achievements, tackle challenges and set a clear direction for the coming quarter.

The 5 components of an effective quarterly one-on-one meeting

To make quarterly one-on-one meetings more effective, it’s essential to approach them with a well-defined strategy. Include the following five components to enhance the productivity and impact of your quarterly one-on-one discussions.

1. Long-term goals

Begin with clarity on the overarching objectives for the quarter. What are the key targets you and your team members aim to hit?

Outlining your long-term goals sets the stage for a focused conversation to align or re-align objectives, ensuring that both manager and employee work toward the same outcomes. It also helps both parties understand the priorities and how individual contributions feed into the broader company vision.

2. Progress updates

Reflecting on the journey toward achieving your long-term goals is crucial.

Take the time to celebrate milestones and recognize the effort put forth by your team members. Acknowledging successes boosts morale and reinforces the value of contributions. Similarly, reviewing any areas where progress may have been slower than expected is essential. These discussions can lead to a constructive dialogue about learning from experiences and adjusting strategies.

3. Challenges

Identifying obstacles is a critical component of effective one-on-one meetings.

Open discussions about challenges faced during the quarter can lead to collaborative problem-solving. Reviewing challenges is also an opportunity to understand your team members' perspectives, offer support and identify potential solutions. Addressing issues head-on prevents them from escalating and demonstrates your commitment to success.

4. Meeting takeaways

Summarize the key insights and lessons learned from your quarterly one-on-one meeting. 

What did your dialogue reveal about performance, challenges or opportunities? Highlighting these takeaways ensures that you and your team member leave the meeting clearly understanding the discussion's value and implications for future work.

5. Action steps

Finally, clearly define the next steps with assigned owners and deadlines. What specific actions will be taken as a result of this meeting?

Setting these action items ensures accountability and keeps the momentum going. It translates the discussion into tangible outcomes, providing a roadmap for what needs to happen next.

The benefit of a good one-on-one meeting agenda template

Linking the guidance outlined above with a quarterly one-on-one meeting agenda template can significantly improve the structure and effectiveness of your meetings. By following these strategies, you can have more productive meetings and be ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming quarter with clarity and purpose.

Quarterly one-on-one meetings are more than a check-in

Quarterly one-on-one meetings are a strategic tool for development and alignment. By investing time and effort into making your quarterly one-on-one meetings more effective, you're enhancing individual performance and contributing to your organization's overall success.

Learn live. Adapt faster.

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

From friendly check-ins to coaching: How to turn manager 1:1s into growth engines
Electives team
 
Apr 24, 2025

From friendly check-ins to coaching: How to turn manager 1:1s into growth engines

Help managers turn 1:1s into real growth conversations with coaching prompts, development goals and practical tools that support learning.
Leadership + management
Electives appoints DraftKings' CPO Linda Aiello to board amid record quarter
Electives team
 
Apr 22, 2025

Electives appoints DraftKings' CPO Linda Aiello to board amid record quarter

Industry veteran joins modern learning platform reshaping how companies build real skills at scale
In the news + press releases
From busy to better: How to build a learn-it-all culture at work
Electives team
 
Apr 22, 2025

From busy to better: How to build a learn-it-all culture at work

Learn how to build a learn-it-all culture with practical habits, manager support and systems that make growth part of everyday work.
Culture + collaboration
Mental Health Awareness Month: A guide for people leaders
Electives team
 
Apr 22, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Month: A guide for people leaders

Here are seven ways you can celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month this May or throughout the year.
Culture + collaboration
Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 ways to support employees
Electives team
 
Apr 22, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Month: 5 ways to support employees

Mental Health Awareness Month, celebrated throughout May, was established to raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health issues, help reduce the stigma around mental health and recognize the importance of mental wellness.
Culture + collaboration
Thriving in the skills economy
Electives team
 
Apr 16, 2025

Thriving in the skills economy

In the skills economy, value is defined by what people can do—not what’s on their resume. Here’s how organizations and employees can adapt and grow.
Culture + collaboration

View all posts

ENJOYABLE. EASY. EFFECTIVE.

Learning that works.

With live learning + AI simulations, Electives is a learning platform that makes it easy to design, execute and measure effectiveness.

Request a demo

Request a demo

Learn more

Learn more