A skip-level meeting is between an executive leader and the employees who report to their direct reports. The purpose of these meetings is to get feedback from employees about what’s working well and what needs improvement without going through their direct managers. Getting actionable feedback from a skip-level meeting requires having the right goals in mind.
While skip-level meetings may seem like they are primarily for employees’ benefit, they can also be very beneficial for leaders. Skip-level meetings can help leaders identify issues they may be unaware of, gather candid feedback about their leadership style, and build relationships with employees throughout the organization. Here are the top 3 goals of a skip-level meeting.
Goal #1: Get an Accurate Picture of Morale
One of the most important things an executive leader can do is get an accurate pulse on employee morale. This can be challenging when you’re only talking to direct reports because they may not feel comfortable sharing their true feelings. That’s where skip-level meetings come in. By talking to employees who are 2 or 3 levels below you, you can get a more accurate picture of how people are really feeling about their jobs, their managers, and the company as a whole.
Goal #2: Identify Problems Early On
Another goal of a skip-level meeting is to identify problems early on before they have a chance to fester and grow into bigger issues. If an employee is unhappy with their job or manager, it’s better to know about it sooner rather than later. That way, you can address the problem before it gets out of hand. Additionally, by talking to employees directly, you can sometimes get a better sense of what’s going on than you would by talking to their manager.
Goal #3: Show Employees that Their Voice Matters
Finally, skip-level meetings send the message to employees that their voices matter. Too often, employees feel like they’re not being heard by management. Skip-level meetings allow them to share their thoughts and ideas directly with an executive leader, which can help them feel more valued and appreciated.
The Benefits of Skip-Level Meetings
There are many benefits associated with hosting skip-level meetings. Here are just a few:
- Skip-level meetings promote transparency and trust by giving employees access to senior leadership.
- Employees feel valued when invited to share their thoughts and concerns directly with leadership.
- Leaders gain valuable insights into what’s going on at all levels of the organization.
- Skip-level meetings can help identify problems that leaders may be unaware of.
- Candid feedback from employees can help leaders improve their management style.
- These meetings allow leaders to build relationships with employees throughout the organization.
Skip-level meetings are a valuable tool for executive leaders who want to stay connected with all levels of their organization. These meetings allow employees to speak candidly about the company without fear of reprisal. Skip-level meetings show that executive leaders are interested in hearing from all levels of the organization, not just those who report directly to them.
Finally, skip-level meetings can help identify problems that may be bubbling up within the company but have not yet reached the executive level. Skip-level meetings can be a valuable way for executive leaders to stay connected with their organizations and identify potential problems early on.
