Help Tool for Managers: Development Conversation Starters
Below are questions to help get the conversation started as you talk about each topic in the Development Discussion Guide. You
may ask some of them to a direct report, others you would ask yourself about the person, and some may be appropriate to ask both
yourself, and a direct report. These are examples to get the conversation started, simply choose the ones you find most helpful.
Strengths, Gifts & Talents
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How do you feel you uniquely contribute to the team?
What part(s) of your role do you find most satisfying?
What do you think your teammates see as your most valuable contribution to the team?
What part(s), if any, of your role do you find draining, de-energizing or boring?
Which, if any, of your talents and strengths are being underutilized? Do you have some ideas on how could they be better used?
In what setting, or under what conditions do you make the greatest contribution(s)?
What can I always count on this coworker for?
Company Values – Service, Learning and Entrepreneurship
Service
 Who is served in your current role? How are others impacted by your work?
 What, if anything, do you need from me, to help give the absolute best service?
 Are there additional opportunities for you or the team as a whole to serve others?
Learning
 What do you feel are some specific learning opportunities for you at this time?
 To reach your goal(s), what skills and knowledge do you need? How can I help you obtain it?
 Can you think of any stretch assignments or job shadowing you would like to be a part of?
Entrepreneurship
 What can I do to help you begin, or continue to innovate and move forward?
 I want to encourage you to embrace or lead change. What can I do to help?
 Do you see changes coming that will impact our business or our team?
2016 Theme and Priorities
 When it comes to the priorities for the year, which ones do you relate to most and why?
 Are there any that you feel your position supports more? Less? Why?
Professional & Personal Goals, Aspirations, Ambitions, Interests, Etc.
 Do you have long term goals, ambitions, interests, etc.? If so, what are they? What skills and knowledge are required to obtain
them?
 What knowledge or skill would you like to enhance or develop?
 What types of things do you consider positive challenges or a stretch in the right direction?
 What experiences would you like to have in order to learn or develop? How would they benefit the team/department?
 Who are the people with whom you would like to develop relationships or from whom you would like to learn? (Think job
shadowing, mentoring, cross-training, visiting other divisions/locations, etc.
Future Conversations…
 What do you need from me specifically, to meet the goals we spoke about today?
 When will we meet again to discuss progress or re-evaluate goals?
 What can I do between now and our next conversation to help keep things on track?