How to Effectively Prepare for a Skip Level Meeting?

Clarify Meeting Objectives

Before the skip-level meeting, ask your direct manager or colleagues what the senior leader aims to achieve. Understanding their objectives helps you frame your responses and questions in ways that align with their goals.

Review Relevant Metrics

Gather data on your team’s recent projects or initiatives to back up your observations. This can include performance metrics like productivity rates, budget adherence, or customer satisfaction scores. Concrete data demonstrates progress and supports your feedback.

Prepare Key Talking Points

Draft a concise list of talking points that covers recent successes, ongoing challenges, and specific ways the team can align better with company goals. Outline possible solutions to any obstacles you’re facing and think of relevant examples to share.

Rehearse Your Introduction

Your introduction sets the tone for the meeting. Practice a quick overview of your role and recent achievements. This will ensure you come across as prepared and professional right from the start.

Anticipate Questions and Prepare Answers

Think about potential questions senior leaders might ask based on their priorities. For instance, they could inquire about how your team is responding to strategic changes or what support they need to reach their goals. Prepare thoughtful answers that reflect your team’s needs and your readiness to adapt.

Align Career Development Goals

If the meeting will include a discussion of your career trajectory, identify the skills and responsibilities you want to develop. Ask for feedback on progression paths or what skills you should focus on to grow within the organization.

Craft Specific Questions

Have questions ready to ask the senior leader that will help you better understand their strategic vision. Consider topics like cross-department collaboration or upcoming initiatives where your team could add value.

For more tips on how to prepare for skip level meeting sessions, check out this guide.

Follow Up on Meeting Takeaways

Document key takeaways from the meeting and share them with your direct manager. Create an action plan to address feedback or suggestions given by the senior leader and follow up consistently to showcase your team’s commitment to improvement.