Hold a one-on-one that actually changes next week's work

The problem

One-on-ones turn into venting sessions and nothing changes the next week.

Steps

1. Protect a fixed 15 to 20 minute slot each week or every other week
2. Start with one real win
3. Ask what is hard and where they are stuck
4. Pick one focus for next week
5. Agree who does what by when and get a verbal yes
6. Write the next-week action where both can see it
7. Follow up on the floor before the next 1:1