Let's talk about how you handle 1:1 meetings with team members at Walt Disney.

Question Analysis

This question is aimed at understanding your approach to conducting one-on-one meetings with your team members. The interviewer is interested in your leadership and management style, how you communicate with team members, and how you use these meetings to support and develop your team. They want to see if you are proactive in addressing team members' concerns, providing feedback, and setting goals.

Answer

1. Setting the Stage:
At Walt Disney, 1:1 meetings are a critical part of fostering an open and collaborative environment. I schedule these meetings regularly, ensuring that each team member has dedicated time to discuss their progress, challenges, and aspirations.

2. Structure of the Meeting:

• Start with the Team Member's Agenda: I begin by asking the team member if there are specific topics they wish to discuss. This ensures that the meeting addresses their immediate needs and concerns.
• Feedback and Development: I provide constructive feedback on their recent work, focusing on both successes and areas for improvement. I also discuss their professional development goals and offer support or resources they may need to achieve them.
• Career Growth: We explore long-term career aspirations and how current projects can align with their personal growth goals.
• Company Updates: I share relevant updates about the company or team, ensuring transparency and alignment with broader organizational objectives.

3. Encouraging Open Communication:
I maintain a supportive environment by being an active listener and encouraging team members to share their thoughts openly. This helps in building trust and understanding their perspective better.

4. Follow-up and Action Items:
At the end of each meeting, we agree on actionable items, whether it’s a project task or a development goal, and set timelines for follow-up. This ensures accountability and progress.

5. Continuous Improvement:
I seek feedback on how these 1:1 meetings can be more effective and make adjustments as needed to better support my team.

By structuring 1:1 meetings this way, I ensure that each team member feels valued and supported, which aligns with Walt Disney's commitment to excellence and innovation.