The most effective tool to support and lead your direct report is the 1:1 or one-on-one meeting. This meeting is for the direct report - give them the space to direct the meeting and take as much airtime as they need. There’s always heaps to talk about. Here are some topics you can cover.

• Personal well being. Check how people are doing, not just at work, but also (if they’re comfortable sharing), in their personal lives. Share stuff about yourself too. Be human.

• Sensitive conversations. Some sensitive conversations can’t happen in writing. Handle these topics in a real time conversation.

• Progress on expectations. The reporting relationship usually corresponds with a performance management process. Use this meeting to assess progress and course correct if necessary. 

• Helping each other. Advice is cheap, execution is costly. Use this meeting to offer to roll up your sleeves and offer meaningful help. By helping you build a strong relationship between you and your people by sharing their execution burden and by teaching them a thing or two.

• Feedback. In an ideal world, don’t wait for a 1:1 meeting to share feedback. That said, sometimes the 1:1 is the earliest available synchronous opportunity to have such conversations.