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What should I discuss in first 1:1 with my skip-level manager?

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Entry-Level Software Engineer [3] at Ubera year ago

I joined a new team a week back and will soon have my first 1:1 with the skip-level manager.

Given that I haven't spent much time to have any feedback on my manager or the org culture and process, what should I discuss to get the most value out of the time?

P.S. I have gone through this question: https://www.jointaro.com/question/yK1UiPgm1EElzHRIqlM8/topics-to-talk-in-11-with-skip-level-manager/, and I did found some great insights, but wanted to ask if there's anything more I can do given my position and experience is different.

Thank you

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(2 comments)
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    Software Engineer @ Tesla
    a year ago

    I would take this opportunity to find out what your skip level manager values. What kind of output to they want to see? What kind of problems do they want to solve? How can you help them, even if it's indirectly?

    This will help you get more context and the big picture of things beyond your manager's scope.

    Also, if this is your first meeting, take the time to share what your responsibilities are and what you're hoping to impact. What kind of issues can he come to you for? I would also take the time to learn what his responsibilities are and what he affects, along with what his goals might be.

    Have you checked out this resource? https://www.jointaro.com/lesson/TToehFEc738PBhJcALwL/how-to-effectively-leverage-skip-level-11s/

    Hope that helps!

  • 2
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    Tech Lead @ Robinhood, Meta, Course Hero
    a year ago

    I really like Xue's answer around simply asking what their priorities are and trying to understand the world through their eyes:

    • It's fundamentally an empathetic exercise, and humans fundamentally value others who are seriously trying to understand their perspective.
    • Even though you realistically don't have a ton of power to heavily affect their goals (don't worry, you'll get there someday!), the very act of asking has intrinsic value.
    • You can augment all of this with active listening as I talk about here: Effective Communication Guide [Part 3.2] - Deep Listening

    At a high-level, I would make the goal of this meeting about building trust and establishing yourself as a driven, talented individual in their eyes as opposed to trying to solve their problems or surface some genius-level insight they missed.

    I hope these resources help as well:

Uber is an American mobility as a service provider, allowing users to book a car and driver to transport them in a way similar to a taxi. It is based in San Francisco with operations in approximately 72 countries and 10,500 cities in 2021. Its services include ride-hailing, food delivery (Uber Eats and Postmates), package delivery, couriers, freight transportation,[2] electric bicycle and motorized scooter rental.
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