10 questions you can copy
Open questions grouped by purpose. Ask two or three, then be quiet and listen.
Starting the meeting
- How has this week been for you?
- What is on your mind right now?
Workload and priorities
- What are your top three priorities this week?
Progress and blockers
- What is going well on [PROJECT]?
Feedback for you
- What is one thing I could do differently to help you?
- Is there anything I do that makes your work harder?
What motivates them
- Which part of your work do you enjoy most?
Career and growth
- Where would you like to be in two years?
Decisions and ownership
- Which decisions would you like to make on your own?
- Which decisions do you want me involved in?
How to use these
- Pick two or three questions. Not all of them.
- Ask one at a time, then be quiet and listen.
- Say out loud what you both agreed and write it down.
What to avoid
- Ask about work only. Do not ask about health, mental health, home or family, and do not guess at causes.
- If they tell you something personal: thank them. Do not ask for details and do not give advice. Tell them what support your employer offers, and check with HR.
Official pages. Not legal or HR advice. If a one-to-one touches a complaint, a warning, discrimination, health or a safety matter, stop, listen, say you will speak to HR and follow your employer's procedure.
- Acas: Reviews and appraisals (what a review is for), read 5 October 2026
- EEOC: Prohibited employment policies and practices (pointer only, for US readers), read 5 October 2026
UK readers: the free Acas helpline is on its contact page. US readers: see the EEOC page and your employer's HR team.
What the full kit adds
This page shows 10 of them. The kit has the rest, and the files you fill in.
One-to-one meetings: agendas, questions and openers
Six agendas to fill in, 120 questions by purpose and 16 opening lines for awkward topics, with a note sheet and a follow-up message.
What is in it
- All 120 questions in 12 groups by purpose (this page shows 10)
- 6 agendas to fill in (Word) and a note sheet
- 16 opening lines for awkward topics, the follow-up message and a one-page guide
- 2 finished examples, including a one-to-one after a public mistake
$9, one price, no subscription. 30-day refund. Works with no AI.
Questions people ask
How many questions should I ask in one meeting?
Two or three. Ask one at a time, then listen.
What is a good question to start with?
"How has this week been for you?" or "What is on your mind right now?"
Can I ask about their health or home life?
No. The questions in the kit ask about work only. If they tell you something personal, thank them, do not ask for details and check with HR.
How many questions are in the full kit?
120, in 12 groups by purpose, with six agendas to fill in. This page shows only a few of them.
Is this legal or HR advice?
No. It is general wording. If a conversation turns into a complaint, a warning, discrimination, health or anything formal, stop and speak to HR first. In the UK, Acas explains the steps.
More
- One on one meeting agenda: a 30 minute weekly check-in
- One on one questions about career and growth: 10 to ask
- All the words for managing people
- Free: 20 opening lines for hard conversations
General wording, not legal or HR advice. For anything formal, speak to HR. In the UK, Acas explains the steps. Official pages read 5 October 2026.