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Comment by atomical | Hacker News Reader

Do you think it's possible that reports may think this is a waste of their time?

I've seen very few peers feel this way occassionally, and it's insane to me. If you can't find a way to get value from 30m with your manager, there's something obstinate about you, not wise.

@refulgentis Can you give me examples of value you got from your manager in a 1-on-1?

I can get value from 30m with my manager if he’s not otherwise available. If I sit next to him on a daily basis, not so much.

> If you can't find a way ... there's something obstinate about you

Blaming the employee when the manager is responsible.

I have even more than 30 minutes. When there's a need. Then I go to him, speak with him, share the problem or revelation I have, he advises or take an advice, we check on it later if needed and off we go. None of my colleagues values wasting their time (we've got a discussion about it already,) so if you'd like to show us you care, you'd reduce number of meetings greatly.

I'm surprised to see lots of comments with managers meeting their direct reports for 30 minutes per week...assuming 10 reports, thats 5 hours a week... Or basically 1 hour per day just to talk about someone's career.

My manager blocks off 2 hours per week. If you have something to talk about, put a meeting on his calendar. The only obligation is the semi annual 1:1.

I talk to my manager on a daily basis so any 1:1 is really for career path, no project status, gripes about people, etc.

Of course if they want to skip their 1:1 that's up to them. I am actively telling them that I'm making 30 mins a week available for them strictly for them, but if they feel like they would rather do something else, that's perfectly fine for me.

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