How 1-1s make your life easier as a Tech Lead
Save yourself from surprises, misalignments, and unnecessary drama.
1-on-1s aren’t just for your team.
They’re for you, too.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Tech Leads treat 1-1s as a chore. Something they have to do, just to keep their team happy.
That’s usually because they’re not using them right. Because if you do, you quickly see how they actually make your life easier:
→ They give you a window into what’s really going on - the frustrations and blockers that never surface in a team meeting.
I remember one case where a team member quietly admitted in a 1-1 that he didn’t fully understand the solution we agreed on as a team - something he did not feel comfortable sharing with the whole team. So, in our next 1-1, we walked through every question he had until it made sense. That saved us from future misalignments and wasted time assuming everyone was on the same page.
→ The questions people ask you are like signposts. They show you exactly where to focus your energy as a leader. A team member asking “How am I doing in this area?” reveals where they want your feedback and guidance. “What’s happening with X?” highlights gaps in communication or opportunities to involve them more. Instead of guessing what people need, you get a clear signal.
→ They’re also the easiest place to find delegation opportunities. Want to get things off your plate? Share what you’re working on and see what triggers interest: “Would you be interested in taking over this initiative?” You’ll be surprised how often someone is eager to step up.
→ And then there’s the relationship side. Showing up every week for a 1-1 sends a clear signal: I value you. I care about your input. I want to help you grow. It’s the fastest way to build two-way trust. That trust always pays you back. When tough times come - deadlines, setbacks, pressure from above - you’ll be able to rely on people. Because they know they can rely on you.
→ They’re also a great space to help team members grow through mentoring and coaching. Whether it’s walking someone through a tricky decision, helping them think about their next role, or challenging them with stretch opportunities - when your team grows, your job gets easier.
The developer you coached on running a meeting? Next time, they take it off your plate.
The engineer you nudged toward strategic thinking? They’ll start spotting risks before you even ask.
Every hour you invest in mentoring during 1-1s pays you back later - in time saved, problems prevented, and teammates who step up instead of waiting for you to solve everything.
So yes, 1-1s take time.
But they save you ten times more in surprises, misalignments, and unnecessary drama.
Think of them as your leadership cheat code 😉
📗 Sponsored Resource
If you’re preparing for interviews as a Tech Lead, I totally recommend this Educative course: Grokking the Engineering Management and Leadership Interviews.
It’s pitched as an EM interview crash course but actually many of the topics -people management, project management, strategy - are exactly what you need as a tech lead too.
You’ll get a clear picture of how these interviews work, real-world examples from leaders at Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, and Lyft, and practical tools like building your own story bank and mastering the STAR format.
This article is Part 1 of The 1-1 Playbook for Tech Leads, a series I’m writing to help you run better 1-on-1s with your team.
If there is any specific topic you would like me to address, just ping me.
Next up: How to set up your 1-1s for success.
Until next time,