1on1 Prep

Structured 1on1 preparation using the Psychological Safety x Responsibility 4-zone framework.

Core principle: 1on1 is a diagnostic tool — assess the zone first, then adapt your approach accordingly.

Scope: One member at a time. Not for team-wide assessment.

Framework details: ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/framework.md

Process

Step 1: Gather Observations

Ask the manager (via AskUserQuestion) about recent observations:

1. "How has their communication style changed recently?" (tone in reviews, meetings, Slack)
2. "What's their current workload like? Any deadline pressure?"
3. "Are they taking on new challenges or staying in familiar territory?"
4. "How do they respond to feedback or ambiguity?"
5. "Have they expressed frustration, boredom, or disengagement?"

Supplement with objective data sources from the framework reference when available.

Step 2: Zone Assessment

Read the framework reference and map observations to a zone using the assessment decision flow.

Handling mixed signals: Use the dominant signal rule:

• Identify which axis (Safety or Responsibility) has clearer evidence
• Prioritize the zone with higher risk (Anxiety > Apathy > Comfort > Learning)

When genuinely ambiguous, start the 1on1 with open-ended questions from both candidate zones.

Step 3: Zone-Specific Strategy

Read the framework reference and apply the strategy, key questions, and 1on1 approach for the assessed zone.

Step 4: Generate Agenda

Output a structured 1on1 agenda:

## 1on1 Agenda: <member-name> — <date>

**Assessed zone:** <zone-name> (<Safety level> x <Responsibility level>)
**Basis:** <2-3 specific observations that led to this assessment>

### Opening (5 min)

- "<zone-appropriate opening question>"

### Core Discussion (15 min)

- "<question 1 from zone strategy>"
- "<question 2 from zone strategy>"
- "<question 3, optional>"

### Action Items

- [ ] **Manager:** <concrete action with deadline>
- [ ] **Manager:** <concrete action with deadline>
- [ ] **<member-name>:** <concrete action with deadline>

### Follow-up

- <next check-in type and timing>
- <next full 1on1 timing — shorter for Anxiety/Apathy>

Example output: see ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/framework.md (bottom section).