In this episode of Lead the Room, Briony and Lyndsey tackle one of the most common leadership challenges: falling out of the rhythm of one-to-ones with your team. They share honest stories about how even the most well-intentioned leaders can drift away from these critical conversations, and reveal why 18 months without a one-to-one isn't just poor management, it's fundamentally unfair to your people. Through personal experiences and practical strategies, they demonstrate how leaders can get back on track quickly, even when guilt and embarrassment make it tempting to avoid the issue entirely. They break down exactly what makes one-to-ones slip off the priority list and offer a realistic approach to rebuilding this essential leadership habit.

Key Takeaways:

• • Confront Your Avoidance With Three Powerful Questions: Taking just 15 minutes to ask yourself "What am I afraid will happen if I consistently do one-to-ones?" reveals the real fears driving avoidance behavior. Most leaders discover their fear of doing them is actually less scary than the consequences of not doing them.
• • Reset Conversations Build Respect, Not Resentment: Instead of awkwardly pretending nothing happened, the most effective leaders schedule brief reset meetings to acknowledge the gap, take responsibility, and set new expectations together. This vulnerability doesn't undermine your authority, it increases respect from your team.
• • Lower The Bar To Rebuild The Habit: Done is better than perfect when it comes to one-to-ones. Starting with 20-minute fortnightly check-ins focused on three simple questions (what's going well, what's challenging you, how can I help) makes consistency achievable. High-performing teams aren't built through hour-long deep dives, they're built through regular, manageable connections that actually happen.

  
  

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