Why Your One-on-Ones Aren’t Working—And How to Fix Them

Episode 1 of the One-on-One Meeting Series | The Things Leaders Do Podcast with Colby Morris

Most one-on-one meetings aren’t working—and deep down, you probably know it.
They’re rushed. Disorganized. Too focused on tasks. Or worse—nonexistent. And when that’s the case, you’re not leading… you’re reacting.

In this episode, Colby Morris breaks down why one-on-ones fail, why they matter more than you think, and a simple, proven 4-step structure that will help you transform these meetings into your most powerful leadership tool. Whether you manage 3 people or 30, this episode gives you a framework that actually works.

You’ll learn:

Why bad one-on-ones erode trust, culture, and performance
How intentional one-on-ones support people-first leadership
A 4-part agenda that builds connection, alignment, and growth
Why energy checks (like the “battery level” question) are key
Real-world coaching questions and leadership prompts that move people forward

This is Episode 1 of our One-on-One Meeting Series—and it sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Leadership Challenge inside: Use this episode to structure your next one-on-one meeting.

Need support or a template? Connect with Colby directly on LinkedIn or by email to get the same one-on-one agenda and prompts he uses with his teams.

Follow the show
Most of our listeners aren’t subscribed—if that’s you, would you do us a favor and hit follow today? That’s how we reach more leaders and create real change in the workforce.

Colby is available for speaking
Interested in booking Colby for a keynote, team training, or leadership offsite? Reach out through LinkedIn or by email to learn more.

Connect with Colby Morris
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-morris/
Email: colby@NXTStepAdvisors.com
Website: NXTStepAdvisors.com

The One-on-One Series: Why Your One-on-Ones Aren't Working