In many offices, managers have one-on-one meetings with their employees for coaching and to talk over any issues they may face. Although it is important to have these discussions, it can also be beneficial to have skip-level meetings. Skip-level meetings are when the employee’s manager’s manager meets with them to discuss the work environment, how they get along with the team, and more. By doing this, you are skipping the middleman and getting right to the source. Although there are a multitude of reasons why these meetings are great, the following are a few of the most notable.

Employees’ Concerns

Employees often go into one-on-one meetings ready to put on their best face. It can be tough for employees to admit to difficulties or bring up valid concerns. After all, there are times when employees have been fired for less. Additionally, these concerns may be amplified if there is an issue with the direct manager, as that can lead to tension or a negative environment. To circumvent these problems, employ skip-level meetings, which give employees the opportunity to discuss their concerns more freely.

Overview of Team at Large

Managers of managers almost never get the full story of what is happening on the floor. While it is not necessary to know every daily interaction, it can be helpful to see areas in which the team is succeeding or failing by having skip-level meetings. This can help the entire team work more cohesively, as the top-level manager can help the middle-management better support the team, as well as provide opportunities for those who shine.

Higher-Level Involvement

Sometimes, an employee is struggling and either cannot or will not put in the effort to improve. Skip-level meetings allow multiple levels of management to get involved in planning and executing next steps for these employees. They can also help all involved managers find out if there is a way to salvage the employee’s work, or if it is time to move on from them.

Skip-level meetings are a great way to get upper management involved in the day-to-day within the office. They also make employees feel heard, while supporting the middle management that handles most daily situations. If your company could use more cohesion between managers and employees, try implementing skip-level meetings into your monthly or quarterly routine.