How to support the growth of @principal.name and their reports

As @principal.name wraps up their first month of manager development training, it’s time to check in with them on how things are going with their direct reports. Here’s what to do.

Getting Started

This week @principal.name received a Pyn about how to navigate challenging conversations with direct reports. To support their learning you should:

• Meet with @principal.name to discuss their team (45-60 minutes)
• Schedule skip-level meetings with @principal.name’s direct reports (15 minutes)

Check in with @principal.name about their reports

During every 1-1, make it a habit to ask @principal.name some questions about their team.

Instead of asking: “How’s that project going?”, ask: “How are you working with Anna to get that project done?” or “How might you better support Anna on that project?” 

This signals how their role involves more than project output - they are directly responsible for the engagement and performance of their direct reports.

Talk directly about how they are coaching and giving feedback. Examples of questions you can ask during your 1-1s:

• What support will your direct report(s) need from you to stay on track?
• Do you think [name of direct report on their team] is on track? How have you supported them? What feedback have you given them?
• How are [name of direct report on their team] feeling emotionally? Why?
• What problems or concerns has the team shared with you over the past week? How have you helped them work through these problems?

Schedule skip-level meetings 

Meet with @principal.name’s direct reports (skip-level) at least once in the first six months. You don’t want to undermine @principal.name’s authority, but you also don’t want to be too hands-off. Make it clear that you plan to meet with @principal.name’s direct report(s) once in the next couple of months and explain what topics you will cover with them. 

I’ll be asking your team what their experiences have been in working with you and what feedback they have for you. I'll share themes and key learnings.