How do you prefer to stay connected with your direct reports? Do you have specific methods for checking in with your IT staff and gauging morale?

Rather than guessing, I asked Copilot to reason over all my team interactions and let me know what I do. The results: Your approach leans toward formal frameworks for performance and development (Connects, Appraisals, Signals) combined with regular informal, human touchpoints - like quick chats, visible presence, and interactive tools during team sessions. You bring a combination of structured and planned sessions, balanced with proactive. This hybrid style aligns with a “Model, Coach, Care” principle: formal processes for clarity and accountability, informal interactions for trust and morale.

I typically do regular 1/1 sessions weekly. Sometimes 30min, sometimes an 1hr. Then also have specific staff mtgs engaging in talent position, project planning, etc. Also use Teams regularly for quick, in context, conversations as we have a distributed global workforce.

Kanban works in these cases.

We created a guide at The Fresh Market to make IT 1:1 meetings employee-led, consistent, and focused on growth (not status updates). If you’d like a copy, email me (attachments aren’t supported here).

Key principles:

* Employees set cadence and agenda, share openly, and follow through.
* Leaders listen, coach, and create a safe space.
* Both respect time, document actions, and track progress.

Done well, 1:1s build trust, empower growth, and drive engagement.

I prefer a very personal and approachable style when staying connected with my direct reports. For me, it’s not just about work, it’s about the person behind the role.

Here’s how I approach it:
- Face-to-face whenever possible: I don’t always stay in the office. In summer, I’ll invite someone for a short walk in a nearby park. With others, I’ll grab a coffee outside the work environment. A change of scenery and fresh air often make conversations easier, especially for more reserved team members.
- Adapt to individual preferences: Some colleagues prefer quick chats at the office, while others like to drop by regularly for an informal talk. I try to respect what works best for each person.
- Personal notes for meaningful connections: I keep a OneNote with bullet points for all 90 team members, things like family situation, hobbies, or interests. This helps me find conversation starters when times are tough. I never pry, but if I know someone’s child is studying or a partner has been ill, I’ll check in respectfully.
- Be visible and approachable: I don’t have a fixed desk. I sit wherever there’s space, right on the floor with the team. It makes me easy to reach and part of the daily flow.
- Create informal virtual spaces: Each team has a “virtual office” Teams chat where we share lighthearted moments, like a joke or a fundraiser for a kid’s sports club, always within a professional context.

In short, I focus on the human side, not just the work. Respecting privacy is key, but showing genuine interest builds trust and morale.