My Best and Worst One-on-Ones

My own growth and development have been impacted in many ways throughout the years. Each of us learns differently, but without a doubt the greatest impacts in my journey have come from observation and one-on-one's.

This is pretty standard feedback, but the environment you're in and who's around you have a significant impact and influence on the habits and tendencies you pick up. I absolutely loved attending meetings and being part of calls with high-level positions so I could listen and observe to how they communicated, thought about the business, and carried themselves.

If I saw something I liked, I worked to emulate it and integrate it into my style. On the other hand, if I saw something I didn't agree with, it was just as important and served as a lesson learned to what not to do or what not to be.

I frequently say everything is an experience and this is exactly what I mean. Some may simply view it as another meeting - I always viewed it as class is in session.

From those experiences, the opportunity was maximized if I was able to schedule a one-on-one with a leader who I admired. Those moments were precious and served as an opportunity to at times get the undivided attention of an expert in their field. Sometimes it was to ask questions and get feedback. Others it was simply to listen.

These moments shaped me as a professional and leader, and served as fuel for launching Eels. I've learned not everyone has an opportunity to observe and listen to what good looks like and Eels and our network of partner coaches is here to be that sounding board and example to help you on your journey.

Enjoy below - my experience with one of my best and worst one-on-ones I've had on the journey!

Founder Jose Samayoa speaks about the best one-on-one he's ever had

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Let's talk about the best one-on-one I've ever had.

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And actually, I think you may be a bit surprised because this one-on-one was probably no more than 5 to 10 minutes.

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I was able to get time with a vice president at the highest echelons of the organization.

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I'm talking about billions under his belt.

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But within those 5-10 minutes, he was able to share with me behind closed doors what conversations were being had and how it is the business was thinking about an opportunity that did wonders for me, that gave me the experience and a peek behind the curtain that this is how the business approaches problems.

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This is how I should be thinking of problems throughout my journey as I am a leader and I am leading business units.

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This is what we do here at Eels.

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We are real world experience for real world professionals trying to bring those same glimpse glimpses, those same experiences to you during our one on ones to give you our lens on what's going on and what may work for you.

Founder Jose Samayoa talks about the worst one-on-one he's ever had.

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Who you get advice from matters.

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Let's talk about one of the worst one-on-ones I've ever had.

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I was ready for a role change, and I identified a business unit I was interested in.

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I reached out to its business director, introduced myself and got some time on his calendar.

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The day came, we jumped on the call, Teams, cameras on, and it was terrible.

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The entire time he worked, he was on his screens, not the one I was on, doing some work and his hand never left the mouse.

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I did my best to get his attention, introduce myself, talk a little bit what I could do, but got nothing.

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So managers, if someone ever takes the courage to reach out to you, put some time on your calendar, is interested in your business unit and working for you, please give them the time.

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Show them the attention and the respect that they deserve to be able to give them some guidance and give them some feedback as to what it is it may take to join your team.