Questions leaders should ask to have better one-on-one meetings.

Are you worried about saying the right thing?

One-on-one meetings with your employees can be a drag when you spend most of the time flapping YOUR gums.

When really — what you ask is far more important than what you say.

Here are some questions that will help you to have better conversations with your employees —

• How confident do you feel about the direction we’re headed?

• What’s something you’d like to be recognized for?

• How’s your week been?

• Last week you were concerned about X, how do you feel now?

• What questions do you have about {that new thing we rolled out}?

• What’s something you’re loving about work right now?

• What’s something that concerns you about work right now?

• How are things going with our team?

• What’s something you’d love for us/me to start doing?

• What’s something you’d love for us/me to stop doing?

• What feedback do you have for me?

• Is there anything that I’m forgetting?