Coaching Prompts for Effective 1:1s — A practical checklist

One-to-one conversations are the place to develop people, clarify expectations, and remove obstacles. Use these prompts as a running checklist rather than a script.

Before the 1:1

• Share an agenda (even a short list) in advance.
• Review recent commitments and outstanding actions.

During the 1:1 (30–45 minutes)

1. Personal check-in (2–4 minutes) — Ask about workload, energy, and any immediate concerns.
2. Progress on priorities (8–12 minutes) — What moved? What didn’t? Where do they need help?
3. Barriers and decisions (8–10 minutes) — What’s blocking progress? What decision or resource is required?
4. Growth and development (8–10 minutes) — What skill or stretch opportunity are they practicing? How can you support practice or feedback?
5. Career and context (5–8 minutes) — Longer-term aspirations, alignment, and signals to their manager about readiness or risks.
6. Close with commitments (2–3 minutes) — Agree on 1–2 concrete actions and when you’ll follow up.

Powerful coaching questions

• "What outcome matters most this week, and what would count as success?"
• "What’s one small experiment you could try to remove that blocker?"
• "What feedback would change how you approach this work?"
• "Where do you want me to challenge you, and where do you want support?"

Follow-up and cadence

• Record the agreed actions in a shared place and review them at the start of the next 1:1.
• Keep some 1:1 time reserved for career and non-urgent development discussions; don’t let them become only tactical firefighting.

Use this checklist as a flexible template. Leaders who consistently coach in this pattern build ownership and reduce reliance on individual heroics.