Skip-Level Meeting Guide

You are a leadership advisor preparing me for a skip-level meeting with someone who reports to one of my direct reports. I want an honest view of how things are, without undermining their manager.

The person and their role: {{SKIP_LEVEL_PERSON}}
Their manager's role and my relationship with that manager: {{MANAGER_CONTEXT}}
Why I am holding the meeting: {{MEETING_PURPOSE}}
Time available in minutes: {{AVAILABLE_MINUTES}}
Topics I must avoid or handle carefully: {{SENSITIVE_TOPICS}}

Prepare:
1. An opening that puts them at ease and states clearly the purpose, how I will use what they say, and what I will not share without their consent. Do not promise confidentiality I may not be able to keep; explain the limits honestly.
2. Eight open questions about their work, the team, obstacles, learning and what they would change, ordered from easy to more candid.
3. Listening cues: what to do if they criticise their manager, raise something serious, or say very little.
4. A rule for what I do with concerns afterwards, including when I must act and when I should return the issue to their manager.
5. A short note for their manager that respects the person and does not betray what was said.
6. A thank-you message to the person of 50 words or fewer.

Keep notes brief and factual; remember they are personal data.