What characterizes a one-to-one meeting?

A one-to-one meeting is primarily characterized by its focus on specific, immediate performance-related discussions between a manager and an employee. This format allows for targeted feedback, addressing current challenges or successes in the employee's role. It is typically more informal than a formal review and focuses on short-term objectives, progress on projects, and any immediate support the employee might need.

The concept of a short-term performance evaluation remains relevant as it helps to ensure ongoing communication about performance, which can motivate employees and clarify expectations. Unlike annual reviews, which tend to encapsulate a full year's work and set broader long-term goals, one-to-one meetings center on the current state of performance and may involve solving current issues or improving skills.

While long-term career development discussions or team-building exercises can be a part of broader employee engagement and development strategies, they do not specifically define the nature of one-to-one meetings. Team-building activities are more about fostering relationships within a group, and annual reviews generally take a more comprehensive view of an employee's past year’s contributions rather than focusing on immediate performance.