Skip-level meetings are a golden opportunity to engage directly with senior leaders, making it essential to be well-prepared. These meetings help enhance your visibility, give you direct access to leadership, and allow you to share insights that could shape your career. With the proper preparation, these conversations can unlock valuable resources and accelerate your career growth. Here’s how you can leverage both traditional strategies and the support of Eva, Paradiso AI’s intelligent meeting assistant, to maximize your skip-level meeting experience.
AI assistants are particularly valuable for small businesses, offering solutions that save time, reduce overhead costs, and enhance the customer experience.
What Is a Skip-Level Meeting?
A skip-level meeting is a one-on-one discussion between an employee and their manager’s superior or another senior leader, without the immediate manager present. These meetings serve several purposes, including:
- Providing senior leadership with direct feedback and insights into the organization’s operations.
- Offering employees the chance to influence decisions and engage with executives on key business initiatives.
- Promoting transparency and building trust across organizational layers.
Make Your Meetings Matter with Eva AI Meeting Assistant
- Automatically Record and Transcribe Meetings: Eva ensures you never miss a moment, recording and transcribing your skip-level meeting in real-time. Whether in-person or virtual, Eva helps you focus on the conversation instead of worrying about taking notes.
- Accurate Notes, Summaries, and Action Items: Powered by AI, Eva captures key points and action items, ensuring you leave the meeting with a clear plan of action.
- Works with Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams: Eva integrates seamlessly with the platforms you already use, enhancing your meeting experience effortlessly.
- Save Time with Quick Async Videos: Need to recap? Eva creates concise video summaries, so you can revisit important moments quickly and share them with your team.
Why Skip-Level Meetings Matter for Employees
- Visibility and Recognition: Showcase your achievements and innovations to leadership, boosting your professional visibility.
- Career Guidance: Use the opportunity to seek mentorship and guidance from senior leaders on your career path.
- Influence and Feedback: Share your ideas and provide valuable feedback that may not typically surface in standard meetings.
- Cultural Alignment: Ensure that your role is aligned with broader organizational goals and strategies.
Preparing for Your Skip-Level Meeting: Step-by-Step Guide
Take 60–90 minutes leading up to the meeting to thoroughly prepare:
- Research the Skip-Level Manager
Learn about their leadership style, recent projects, and professional journey. Understanding their priorities will help you tailor your approach. - Confirm Meeting Logistics
Is the meeting virtual or in-person? Confirm the duration and whether an agenda has been shared in advance. - Set Clear Personal Goals
Define 2-3 goals for the meeting:- Showcase recent successes (e.g., leading a successful project or initiative).
- Learn about leadership priorities and future company goals.
- Seek advice on personal growth opportunities.
- Create a Wins and Challenges Snapshot
Prepare a concise document covering your recent wins, ongoing projects, and any roadblocks you need support with. Send this to your skip-level manager 24 hours in advance to demonstrate efficiency and preparedness. - Draft Insightful Questions
Think about the big-picture issues, such as:
- “Which strategic initiative excites you most this year?”
- “What skill gaps should we address as a team?”
- “How do you see my role evolving in the future?”
- Anticipate Likely Questions
Be ready to discuss your team’s successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. Leadership might ask, “What would you improve if you could change one thing about your team or role?” - Engage Your Direct Manager (Optional but Recommended)
Let your manager know about the meeting and ask for any insights or resources to help you prepare.
During the Meeting
- Arrive early to test any technical equipment and ensure you’re ready to go.
- Focus on your objectives but remain flexible to address any additional insights or feedback.
- Actively listen, take notes, and seek clarification when needed.
Post-Meeting Follow-Up
- Send a thank-you email summarizing key takeaways and next steps.
- Share any promised resources and keep your manager informed.
- Track action items and set reminders to follow up as necessary.
Skip-Level Meeting Agenda Template
Here’s a simple, effective structure to follow:
- Check-in (5 minutes)
- Company Strategy Discussion (10 minutes)
- Wins and Challenges (10 minutes)
- Personal Development Goals (10 minutes)
- Open Q&A (10 minutes)
- Action Items and Next Steps (5 minutes)
Simplify Skip-Level Meetings with Eva
Effective preparation is crucial, but capturing the insights from your meeting is just as important. With Eva, the AI-powered meeting assistant, you can easily:
- Automate Attendance and Recording: Eva integrates with your calendar to automatically join your meetings and begin recording.
- Instant Summaries and Actionable Insights: Get real-time transcriptions and summaries right after the meeting ends.
- Secure, Searchable Storage: Keep all your meeting content organized and accessible for easy reference.
Ready to elevate your meetings? Try Eva for free and transform every skip-level conversation into a strategic, career-boosting opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Skip-level meetings are powerful career-building opportunities. Proper preparation, combined with support from Eva, can help you maximize these meetings and set yourself up for success. With the right approach, you can leave a lasting impression, gain valuable insights, and drive your career forward.
