Is it a bad sign if a manager is having shorter 1-on-1 meetings with you?

[Anonymous]

Our 1-on-1 meetings are supposed to be 30 minutes. But, my meetings tend to be shorter (e. g. 15 minutes) as the 1-on-1 meeting of a more Senior Engineer before me tends to go over time.

[Oliverlogan263]

Hmm that's kind of a weird situation man. Here are a few thoughts on what it could mean:

- It could just be that your manager's time is limited and meetings are running over, so yours have to be shorter to fit everything in. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad sign.

- It's possible your manager doesn't have as much to discuss with you since you're more junior. The senior engineers likely have bigger projects and updates. So the shorter meetings could make sense.

- On the other hand, shorter meetings could mean your manager doesn't feel the need to spend as much time with you or give you as much attention. That might not be great.

- It could also be that your manager doesn't think you need as much guidance or feedback since you're doing well. But that's less likely if they're not stating that clearly.

I'd say keep doing your best work and see how your next few meetings go. If they stay short with little discussion, you might want to ask your manager directly if everything is okay or if they need anything more from you. Better to get clarity than stress over what it could mean. Hopefully it's no big deal and just a time issues, but communicating is always good too. Hope this helps man!

[BoopBoopBeep]

My annual reviews are usually done in under a minute because I just say "sign on the back still, right?" she asks if I want to go over anything because she has to, I look at the number and say "nope" and sign on the back.

[IslaTheWitch]

It depends on if you have anything you want to talk about. It happens my 1-on-1s take 10 minutes. We greet each other, joke, and end the meeting because we have nothing to share, lol...

But if I have any issue I want to discuss with my superior, I do it and take as much time as needed.

If you feel unsure, ask your superior if it's OK that meetings are so short or what he expects you to bring to those meetings.

[Ms_Facesitter]

It depends on what there is to say. I always keep things short because I want to get back to work.

[Anonymous]

I'd focus more on the quality of the meetings. If they're primarily discussing ways you're fucking up, that's not great. If they're mostly status checks and everything is fine, that's not bad but not particularly good either. If they're about other, bigger projects that the firm needs that you could be a part of, that's great.

[Drumlin2001]

Not necessarily a bad thing. If you can cover everything in less time what's the problem? Do you come away feeling you haven't addressed everything? Have you covered general updates, your work upto next catch up and beyond, development opportunities?

[RebelinSteel]

No it just means you have things sorted hopefully or they would be more frequent. Also someone more senior has more responsibility and therefore more to go over, that’s just basics.

[BCA6010]

Not necessarily a bad thing unless you think those meetings are becoming a dismissive formality.

[Nikki1989]

Think yourself lucky. Some people don't get any communication with their managers at all.

[exitseven]

No necessarily. You might be doing most things correctly and there are no complaints about your performance

[RavVid]

Does the 15 mins adequately cover what needs to be covered?

[OddBeMe]

I’d say opposite. But honestly your gut reading being in the office is harder evidence. Although it all could simply be because his/her boss is grinding them harder this week.

[SotiCoto]

Do you WANT to spend more time in a 1-on-1 meeting?
I sure as hell don't.

[lightbulb27]

not really.