How engineers can use one-on-ones with their manager to accelerate career growth

One-on-one meetings with your manager are crucial for career growth and problem-solving, extending beyond mere status updates. By intentionally using these meetings to discuss mentorship, leadership skills, and long-term career goals, you can unlock new opportunities, much like the author's experience of co-leading a project. Often treated as low-stakes standups, these meetings can serve as a platform for debugging challenges, optimizing workflows, and aligning on career paths, effectively acting as a system design review for your role. To maximize their potential, it's important to shift your mindset and use this time to highlight significant achievements, validate decisions, and discuss career advancement proactively, rather than waiting for promotion season. The Three Circles of Impact framework—encompassing individual contributions, collaboration, and enabling others—can be a useful tool for structuring these discussions. By surfacing goals early, you allow your manager to guide you in developing skills and expanding your influence, while also addressing any persistent blockers or unclear expectations. This strategic approach not only enhances your growth but also strengthens your manager's ability to advocate for you.