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:
- "How has their communication style changed recently?" (tone in reviews, meetings, Slack)
- "What's their current workload like? Any deadline pressure?"
- "Are they taking on new challenges or staying in familiar territory?"
- "How do they respond to feedback or ambiguity?"
- "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).