How to run effective one-to-ones for managers
Effective one‑to‑ones are one of the the most powerful tools a people manager has. They improve performance, strengthen relationships, and keep people focused on the work that matters. This training shows managers and team leaders exactly how to run one‑to‑ones that are structured, supportive, and productive. One-to-ones should be valued by both the team member and their manager, this training shows you how to achieve this.
Who This Training Is For
Managers, team leaders, supervisors, and anyone responsible for leading people. Whether new to management or experienced, this training strengthens this core skill and improves team performance.
Why One‑to‑Ones Matter
Regular one‑to‑ones give employees clarity, direction, and a safe space to talk openly. For managers, they provide early visibility of issues, opportunities, and performance trends. When done well, they reduce firefighting, improve engagement, and build trust.
Now consider the opposite, what happens if you don’t have one-to-ones with each member of your team. Discussions on feedback might just happen at annual reviews which can be hugely demotivating. Does your team member really know your thoughts on their work. Are you in touch with how they are thinking? One-to-ones ensure you and they are in touch to ensure a great result in your collaboration.
What a Good One‑to‑One Should Achieve
Alignment on priorities and expectations
Removal of blockers slowing progress
Honest, two‑way feedback
Support for development and wellbeing
Clear next steps and accountability
Duration
60/90 minutes and possibly longer with time added for practise.
Agenda
This is the overall agenda which can be adapted to suit your needs
- The purpose of one-to-ones
- Setting the scene & contracting to establish expectations
- Agreeing the structure of your one-to-ones with your team member
- The role of feedback in one-to-ones
- How to give feedback positively in one-to-ones
- How to take feedback positively in one-to-ones
- Guiding the conversation
- Questioning skills to explore their issues.
- Summarising and agreeing actions
Outcomes
You will gain a clear understanding of the importance of one-to-ones and why they are a vital part of managing.
You’ll gain simple and effective tools for running one-to-ones.
You will have the chance to discuss your questions and concerns with the experienced trainer.
Pre-workshop
You’re asked to consider your current approach to on-to-ones and where you would like to develop, including the questions you’d like to ask the experienced trainer.
Post workshop
You will gain access to our learning videos on this subject.
In-person or virtual
This training on how to run effective one-to-ones for managers can be run as either a virtual or in-person session.
Number of Participants
The number of participants ranges from twelve to thirty depending on your objectives for the training, and whether you want a workshop or webinar/seminar style session.
Tailoring the training to your needs
- The detailed contents of the one-to-one training is tailored to your organisation.
- Using models/frameworks you already use if required, like referencing a personality model.
- Scenarios that are typical for the participants.
- Timings and duration to suit you.
Next steps
Complete the form below to get a quote and start the discussion.
Case Studies
Reviews
Excellent responsive virtual training for trainers
Martin was very responsive to our asks and needs creating a bespoke package that suited the needs of the delegates perfectly taking into account their experience to ensure it was pitched at the right level. Martin was also adaptive between sessions to incorporate new asks that delegates identified. Thanks again it was really useful learning with we have been able to put into practice immediately.
Corporate Coaching
I have now had the opportunity to work with Martin Chapman through two separate training and coaching programmes, and both experiences have been incredibly valuable.
The first gave us a group open forum to discuss a range of management themes and real-world challenges. I found the sessions insightful, practical and directly applicable to my role, particularly when establishing and developing our Quality Assurance team.
My more recent one to one coaching with Martin has been focused on corporate management and navigating senior stakeholder relationships. This has been especially valuable in developing my confidence and communication style. Martin’s coaching around assertive and persuasive communication has helped me become more comfortable being direct, holding others constructively to account and driving greater consistency in project delivery.
Martin is an excellent coach. He is approachable, supportive and encouraging, and his calm, structured style creates an environment where you can openly explore challenges and think critically about the best way forward. Importantly, he guides you towards finding the answer yourself rather than simply providing it, which makes the learning far more meaningful, sustainable and memorable.
I would highly recommend Martin for any individuals or teams looking to develop their management capability, strengthen stakeholder relationships, improve team dynamics or support positive cultural change.
We truly appreciate the effort, energy, and flexibility you brought to the programme, and we look forward to working with you again soon.
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for designing and delivering such an excellent programme for the IT Helpdesk team.
It’s clear that a lot of thought and expertise went into both the content and delivery. The sessions were engaging, practical, and highly relevant to the team’s needs, which made a real impact.
We truly appreciate the effort, energy, and flexibility you brought to the programme, and we look forward to working with you again soon.
Many thanks once again.
Farzana Hussain
Learning and Development Manager
Genuinely one of the best training sessions I have attended!
I can honestly say the training sessions delivered by Martin were one of the most valuable professional development experiences I’ve had. Martin has a rare ability to truly understand the needs of his audience and tailor his training accordingly — nothing felt generic or off-the-shelf. He covered some of the most essential skills in leadership, including conflict resolution and how to deliver constructive feedback in a way that motivates rather than demoralises — and he did so in a way that was practical, relatable, and immediately applicable. His delivery is engaging, his knowledge is exceptional, and he breaks down concepts in a way thay makes it easy to grasp and put into action. The concepts he taught are things I’ll carry with me and apply throughout my career. I cannot rate the training content and Martin as a trainer highly enough!
Management Team Training
Martin was incredibly insightful and helpful to myself and the other managers currently establishing our new QA team / Function. His guided discussions proved beneficial in allowing us to identify issues and points that needed addressing that were not on our radar and immediately we have already seen the benefit of applying his teachings in our day to day management of our team. Thank you very much Martin
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