Creating Possibilities through Leadership
Coach - Consultant - Programme Designer
The Goals of Leading Effective One-to-Ones
Are your one-to-one meetings with staff members feeling more like a tick-box exercise than meaningful conversations? You're not alone. Leaders tell us they struggle to make these sessions truly effective, often feeling rushed, unfocused and lacking real impact.
Think about your last one-to-one meeting:
- Did you do most of the talking?
- Were you constantly checking the time?
- Did it feel like just another meeting in your already packed schedule?
- Was there a clear outcome that moved things forward?
The reality is that many leaders haven't been shown how to make these crucial conversations effective. Your one-to-ones can be energising, purposeful sessions that build trust, develop your team's expertise, and add value to the organisation.
The Cost of Ineffective One-to-Ones:
- Disengaged staff who feel undervalued
- Missed opportunities for early intervention with issues
- Wasted time in unfocused conversations
- Limited professional development impact
- Reduced staff retention
- Lower team performance
Research shows that effective one-to-ones can increase staff engagement by up to 40% and reduce turnover by 24%. Every conversation we have can add or diminish value; e simply can't afford to get these wrong.
But there's good news - transforming your one-to-ones doesn't require complex systems or hours of extra time. It needs leaders who care about their work and people, a clear framework, practical tools, and proven strategies that work in the real world of leadership.
Leading Effective
One-to-Ones
£
15
Drawing from a range of approaches and resources to design team leadership development programmes.
Asher Silverman
Director of Education & Partnerships YourGamePlan
Helen's expertise and understanding of education is unparalleled. She stays updated with the latest research and trends, providing relevant guidance for informed decision-making. Working with her aligns start-up leaders with a vision of transforming education for future generations.
What You'll Learn...
Trust and Engagement
Create powerful relationships that encourage honest, open dialogue between you and your team members. You'll learn techniques that naturally improve staff motivation and build genuine commitment to your goals. Research shows trust is the foundation of high-performing teams - we'll show you exactly how to build it.
This isn't just theory - You'll get practical tools you can use in your very next one-to-one meeting.
Structure of Leading Effective One-to-Ones
Through evidence-based resources and learning from experience, you'll understand exactly what makes one-to-ones work. I've distilled years of leadership research into the essential techniques that transform these conversations from routine meetings into powerful tools for improvement.
These aren't just theories - every strategy can be implemented in your next one-to-one meeting, helping you build stronger teams and drive better outcomes for your One-to-Ones.
This focused, practical training gives you the exact tools, templates and techniques you need to lead meaningful one-to-ones that energise your team and drive improvement.
Who This Training is For:
- Phase Leaders and Key Stage Coordinators
- Subject Leaders and Department Heads
- Early Years Leaders and Managers
- Senior Leaders, Team Leaders and Headteachers
- Anyone who conducts one-to-ones with teaching or support staff
About Helen Woodward
CONSULTANT, COACH AND
PROGRAMME DESIGNER
I work collaboratively with leaders enabling them to be more resourceful and take effective action. As leaders grow in confidence and competence we:
build effective leadership knowledge, skills and practice
develop team relationships
- improve wellbeing
Collaborative learning is key for leaders and teams to manage challenging issues and relationships, and create the opportunities and futures they want.
BACKGROUND AND PERSONAL LIFE
I was previously Head of School Improvement for the Department for Education, and held lead roles in national, regional and local government, schools and colleges. I designed and facilitated coaching and leadership programmes for the University of Manchester and served as a Magistrate in Greater Manchester.
A commitment to continuous learning lies at the heart of my work; we all have the potential to grow, learn and re-imagine our future!
Away from work, I'm a performing musician and a keen explorer - with my highest altitude gig being in the Himalayas at 2700m!