AI for running 1:1s
A good 1:1 belongs to your report, not to your notes. Use AI for the boring parts: capturing what was said, keeping a shared running agenda, and remembering follow-ups. Do not use it to score people. Our view: keep your own notes, and let AI fill in the gaps afterward.
Top pick: Granola
Granola works with notes you type yourself and adds detail from the transcript, so you stay present in the conversation instead of handing it to a bot.
AI notepad that enhances your own meeting notes with the transcript.
Granola detailsAlternatives
How to use AI for this job
- Keep one running agenda per report so topics carry over week to week.
- Jot 3-5 words per topic during the meeting. Let the tool expand them afterward.
- Ask your report before recording, and skip recording for sensitive topics like health, pay, or conflict.
- After the meeting, ask an assistant to pull out commitments for both of you. Check them before you share.
FAQ
Should I record my 1:1s?
Only with your report's clear consent. Many leaders take notes without recording and don't record sensitive talks at all.
Can AI run my 1:1 for me?
No. AI can capture notes and track follow-ups, but trust, coaching, and judgment are your job.
What's the simplest setup?
A shared agenda doc plus one AI notetaker you already have access to. Add more only if you feel friction.
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Job guideLeader's AI Playbook, coming soon
A practical guide to using AI for the jobs leaders actually do: 1:1s, hiring, board updates, planning, and meetings. Join the waitlist and we'll email you when it's ready.