6 Reasons Employees Don’t Talk To Their Managers

Employees talk more and managers talk less in successful one-on-ones.

6 reasons employees don’t talk to their managers:

1. Cold professional culture. Caring happens outside work.
2. Talkative managers.
3. Curiosity about people is rare.
4. Intimidating environments. What’s in your office that shouts, “Let’s have a conversation?”
5. Busyness. People value results over relationships. Shift to results through relationships.
6. Insecure managers. When managers are uncomfortable, everyone around them is uncomfortable. Tip: Gradually shift your mental focus from worrying about yourself to caring about others.

Information can be shared via email. But connection requires conversation.

7 talking points for a successful one-on-one:

#1. Imagine your best day at work. What are you doing? Not doing?

#2. If your best day at work is a 10, how would you rate your typical day? (“5” represents an average day.)

#3. Why did you choose that number?

#4. What could you do to nudge your number toward 10? (Generate a list of three items.)

#5. Which item would you like to try for the next two weeks?

#6. How could I help? (Only ask this question if you are prepared to help or to find someone who can.)

#7. What would you like me to ask you in our next one-on-one?

3 tips:

1. Send talking points to employees two or three days before your scheduled one-on-one.
2. Send an email the day before your one-on-one. “I’m looking forward to our conversation tomorrow.”
3. Prepare for the one-on-one.
   • Reflect on previous conversations.
   • Remove distractions like phone notifications.
   • Remove physical barriers. You might have the conversation in a neutral location or their office.
   • List five qualities/skills you admire about the person before they arrive.

Feedback:

Successful managers seek feedback. Choose one of the following questions at the end of your one-on-one.

1. How might our next one-on-one be a little better than this one?
2. If I listened better, what would be true?

Why don’t employees talk to managers?

What talking points would make for successful one-on-ones?

Originally published June 8, 2018 on Leadership Freak by Dan Rockwell.