Talk synopsis

Make your 1:1s true engines for growth with a coaching-informed lens. Whether you’re a manager or senior+ engineer, use reflection prompts, context mapping, and strength-based inquiry to foster clarity, purpose, and momentum.

Talk abstract

It’s no secret that 1:1s should be more than status updates, but many still fall short of supporting meaningful growth. Conversations drift, development feels vague, and engineers are left navigating career advancement through trial and error.

This talk offers a practical solution: a simple, coaching-informed approach for turning 1:1s into high-impact conversations. Rooted in five foundational areas of engineer growth—Purpose, Technical Excellence, Relationships, Leadership, and Advocacy—you’ll learn how to use this lens to better understand what’s holding someone back and where they’re ready to grow.

We’ll cover three lightweight tools you can use in your next 1:1:

- Reflection prompts that bring hidden blockers and aspirations to the surface
- Context mapping to help engineers communicate more effectively across teams and stakeholders
- Strength-based inquiry to unlock confidence and build momentum from what’s already working

Whether you're supporting early-career engineers or helping a senior IC break through a plateau, these tools will help you lead with clarity—without adding more process or needing formal coaching training.

Audience takeaways

- Learn a repeatable lens for guiding meaningful growth conversations
- Use targeted prompts to explore more than just blockers in 1:1s
- Help engineers build influence and clarity through context-aware coaching
- Shift from output-focused updates to long-term development support
- Apply a practical, human-centered framework—without adding process overhead

PS: This proposal was a finalist for the prestigious LeadDev conference organized by LeadDev in New York in Oct 2025.