Skip Level Meeting Agenda Template

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Skip-level meetings are designed to open a channel of communication between non-managerial employees and upper management. The concept is for management to meet with employees one-on-one to learn more about each of them. When done correctly, it helps management acquire a better understanding of the challenges facing front-line employees and improves communication throughout an enterprise.

What Skip-Level Meeting Question Should Employees Ask?

Meeting with upper management can be intimidating for employees; however, knowing what skip-level meeting questions to ask your boss or your boss’s boss can help. Although employees can ask questions ranging from corporate strategy to career development, they should use the opportunity to focus on what is of value to them.

The following are examples of what to ask in a skip-level meeting as an employee.

Team Alignment

1. What do you want our team to achieve this year?
2. What do you consider our team’s top priorities for this year?
3. How can our team provide more meaningful contributions to the company?
4. What do you see as critical issues the team needs to address?
5. How can I help address these issues?
6. What one thing should our team work to improve?
7. Do you have any recommendations on how I can contribute to team alignment?

Company Growth

1. How do you see the company developing in the next three years?
2. What initiatives are being considered this year?
3. What is your opinion of the company’s current direction?
4. Which competitors are you most concerned about?
5. What industry trends concern you?
6. Is my team contributing to the company’s growth?
7. What one area should my team work to improve?

Personal Growth

1. What are some of my weaknesses?
2. How can I improve on my weaknesses?
3. Do you consider [enter a strength] one of my strengths? Why or Why not?
4. Which soft skill should I develop?
5. Are there job skills I need to work on?
6. What is the best way to receive feedback on my progress?
7. What trends do you see in my area of expertise?

Professional Growth

1. How did your career develop at this company?
2. What should I focus on at this point in my career?
3. What should I do if I want to change career paths?
4. Do you believe my professional goals are realistic?
5. What skills am I missing if I want to advance?
6. What career paths do you think are available to me?
7. What one thing would you tell your younger self about career advancement?

How to Prepare for a Skip-Level Meeting

Skip-level meetings start with an agenda. Using a skip-level meeting agenda template can make it much easier. Part of the agenda should include the purpose of the meeting and what general topics such as company or career growth will be addressed.

Purpose

The true purpose behind a skip-level meeting is to determine an organization’s effectiveness through honest employee assessments. To ensure a company is receiving accurate feedback, a culture of trust must be established. Employees must be assured that their comments will remain anonymous. Managers must know that information will not be used in a punitive way. Without that level of honest transparency, skip-level meetings cannot achieve their purpose. Starting an agenda with a clear restatement of these assurances is an excellent way to set the tone for the meeting.

Plan

For managers, what does upper management want to learn from the skip-level meetings? Sometimes, organizations want to assess managerial effectiveness or operational weaknesses. Other possibilities are looking at company alignment or employee engagement. Whatever the objective, the agenda needs to reflect these goals.

Taking the time to create an agenda that can be given to the employee before the meeting can make for a more relaxed meeting. An agenda with well-defined topics allows employees to reflect on their answers and develop questions of their own. If the agenda is delivered ahead of the meeting, managers and employees can collaborate to refine the agenda to meet their respective needs. The give and take of this type of one-on-one meeting contributes to a positive corporate culture.

Using a Skip-Level Meeting Template

The best skip-level meetings offer potential benefits to any organization. Insights gained through one-on-one meetings can improve long-term decision-making and create a better understanding of customers. They also present opportunities to establish stronger relationships and more engaged employees. To ensure that your organization is getting the most out of its meetings, rely on a skip-level meeting agenda template.

For example, state the meeting’s purpose at the top of the agenda. Under each discussion area, list three to five questions.

Send the agenda to the employee or manager for comment, asking for additions or deletions. Using the agenda as a collaboration tool makes the meeting a shared experience. When both parties can participate in defining what will be discussed, it makes for more engaged participants. One of the best ways to get the most out of one-on-one meetings is to use a skip-level agenda template that facilitates collaboration.