Dealing With Cancellations

Proactively managing recurring one-on-ones is crucial, especially given the inherent power and time imbalance between managers and their direct reports.

• Acknowledge the power dynamic: Managers are often busier and have more reports, which can lead to frequent cancellations. Recognizing this helps frame a constructive response.
• Use a shared running doc: If a meeting is about to be canceled due to “nothing to talk about,” reference specific bullet points in a shared one-on-one document to demonstrate the agenda and keep the meeting on the calendar.
• Reschedule thoughtfully: When a cancellation is due to emergencies or time constraints, acknowledge the situation but follow up by proposing specific alternative time slots based on their availability.
• Reduce their friction: Make it easy for the manager to say yes by combining two key tactics—propose a concrete reschedule and provide the meeting agenda in advance.
• Leverage career growth principles: Just like with asking for support or promotions, simplifying the decision-making for your manager increases the chances of success and strengthens your working relationship.