10, 8, 6, 4, next? Right, 2 and we’re here! That was fast. Do you see what we did there? We skipped the numbers so we could start the article sooner. Similarly, you too can skip levels at your organization and hold meetings to get to know or inform of potential issues sooner - before they take the shape of a big problem. Stated simply, you can hold skip level meetings. What is it?
Well, a skip-level meeting is a meeting that is held between a manager and employees who do not report to him or her directly in the absence of the employees’ reporting manager. Employees can be one or more levels below the manager in the management hierarchy. They can be held one-on-one between a manager and an employee or in a group setting between a manager and a group of employees.
Regardless of whether you are a manager or an employee, you must be thinking, "What exactly do I ask during the meeting? If that's the question in your mind, well, we will answer that and add more questions to consider (literally). Let's get started.
"I already hold and attend so many meetings! Why hold another one and add to the time wasted in meetings?" If that’s your question, you are obviously unaware of the advantages a skip-level meeting provides.
"I have so much work to do, and now another meeting?" Hold up, we see you. We understand there is so much to do, but trust us when we say that skip-level meetings make your life as an employee a whole lot easier. Read to find out how.
If you're a manager looking to hold a skip-level meeting with your subordinates, here are some essential skip-level meeting questions you may want to consider:
If you're an employee who wishes to hold a skip-level meeting with your manager's manager, here are some essential questions you may want to consider:
In any professional setting, time is a valuable resource. We invest hours in meetings, hoping to achieve productive outcomes and make progress. But how do we ensure that the time spent in these meetings is truly valuable to all participants? How do we gauge if our efforts are bearing fruit or simply going to waste?
One effective approach is to gather feedback from meeting participants. By soliciting their insights and opinions, we can gain valuable perspectives on the effectiveness of our meetings. But there's a catch - people may not always provide honest feedback, fearing potential repercussions or simply being hesitant to voice their true thoughts.
That's where Sup Bot comes to the rescue. With Sup's advanced feedback features, you can easily create and distribute feedback forms to all meeting participants. Whether you've met with individuals or groups, you can use the same form to gather their valuable input.
But what about the challenge of honesty? Sup has the perfect solution - anonymous submission. By enabling anonymous feedback, you create a safe and secure environment for participants to share their thoughts openly, without any fear of judgment or consequences. This ensures that you receive genuine feedback, untainted by any hesitations or biases.
Note: Here is a document describing in detail how to create a form.
To create a form, navigate to the "Forms" tab in the left navigation bar and click on "Create Form". You will have the option to choose from available templates or create a custom form. When filling out the form details, make sure to address two important points, as highlighted in the screenshot below:
After creating the form, all participants will receive a notification on Slack, similar to the example shown below:
And once the participants click on Fill out form, it will be visible like this
As soon as all of the participants have shared their individual responses, you, as the manager, will be able to view the responses and determine whether or not there is room for improvement. And because you chose to remain anonymous, the responses you receive will not contain any mention of a username.
One more way that Sup will be very beneficial to you in your skip-level meeting is that it will allow you to ask a set of preliminary questions to all of the participants, which will provide you with the information you need before the meeting.
The main objective is to serve as a jumping off point for further inquiry into the perspectives, difficulties, and suggestions offered by the participants. By collecting this information in advance, you will be able to tailor the agenda for the meeting, address specific concerns, and foster a discussion that is more meaningful and productive during the skip-level meeting.
Skip-level meetings can be a valuable tool for managers and employees alike. This is why it is essential to have relevant questions that will help drive the conversation. Managers can even consider starting these meetings with a few check-in questions. We hope the above lists will help you come up with more such questions to ensure that you get the most out of the skip-level meetings.
The purpose of a skip-level interview is to facilitate direct communication between employees and higher-level managers, bypassing their immediate supervisors. This helps in identifying potential issues sooner, fostering trust, enhancing employee engagement, and ultimately boosting productivity. It provides an opportunity for employees to share their concerns, feedback, and ideas directly with senior leadership, promoting a more open and transparent work environment.
Skip-level meetings are generally beneficial to the organization. They help higher management gain a clearer understanding of employee concerns and daily operations directly from the team members. This direct line of communication can lead to quicker problem identification and resolution, improved trust between different levels of the organization, and enhanced overall employee engagement and satisfaction.
Start by setting clear goals for the meeting to ensure you cover important topics. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask, focusing on areas such as employee concerns, suggestions for improvement, and insights into daily operations. Ensure the environment is conducive to open sharing, encouraging honesty and transparency. Additionally, create a feedback form on Sup Bot to gather structured feedback and follow up on any points discussed during the meeting.
A skip level meeting is typically initiated by a senior manager or executive who is one or more levels above the immediate supervisor of the employees they wish to meet with. While it is less common, but an employee can also initiate a skip level meeting. This typically happens if the employee feels the need to discuss matters directly with higher management, especially if they believe their concerns or ideas are not being adequately addressed by their immediate supervisor. To do this, the employee should approach the senior manager respectfully, explaining the reason for the meeting request and ensuring it is aligned with the company's culture and policies regarding such interactions.
