#61 The Two Meetings Every Leader Must Master: 1-on-1s and Team Meetings

Strong leadership often comes down to how you communicate with your team and two meeting formats matter more than most: 1-on-1 meetings and team meetings.In this episode, I break down how leaders should approach one-to-one meetings with staff, particularly as teams grow larger. While 1-on-1s are valuable, it’s simply not sustainable for managers to sit down individually with every team member once the team reaches a certain size. Instead, I discuss why leaders should prioritise regular 1-on-1s with key staff and direct reports, while maintaining accessibility to the wider team through an open-door policy and optional one-to-one conversations.We also explore an often overlooked dynamic: many junior staff can find formal 1-on-1 meetings intimidating, especially with senior leaders. Understanding this can help managers create a more approachable and supportive leadership environment.The conversation then shifts to team meetings, which remain one of the most powerful tools for building connection, alignment, and a sense of shared purpose within a team. However, effective team meetings must be structured and outcome-driven. That means starting on time, logging actions, assigning clear owners, and ensuring meetings lead to real progress rather than becoming routine calendar fillers.Finally, I discuss an important leadership reality: as teams grow larger, sub-teams naturally emerge. In these situations, leaders may need to support multiple team meetings across different groups to ensure communication and accountability remain strong.If you’re a new or emerging leader, this episode will help you run more effective meetings, build stronger team engagement, and lead in a way that is both structured and sustainable.