Why Use Our Skip Level Meeting Template?

The SoWork Skip Level Meeting template is:

• Expertly designed. Get skip-level meeting best practices built into your template. So you know your meeting will be successful.

• Easy to use. Use it as-is to run a successful skip level meeting today. Personalize any part of it to fit your team's culture.

• Smart. Our templates were designed to be used in SoWork with our AI meeting assistant. When you use these templates to run a meeting in SoWork, the meeting assistant will generate notes and summaries.

What Is A Skip Level Meeting?

Skip level meetings allow employees to engage directly with upper management, bypassing their immediate supervisors. This direct communication helps overcome potential communication barriers or biases, ensuring employees' perspectives are accurately conveyed.

By fostering open dialogue across the organization, these meetings enhance trust, collaboration, and growth.

The Purpose Of Skip Level Meetings

• Enhance Communication: employees are given an opportunity to communicate their ideas, concerns, and feedback to upper management.
• Improve Employee Engagement: These meetings empower employees by involving them in the decision-making process and giving them a sense of ownership.
• Gain Valuable Insights: High-level managers can gain first-hand insights into the day-to-day workings of the organization, providing them with a clear understanding of ongoing issues, employee sentiments, and potential opportunities for improvement.
• Identify Leadership Potential: As employees express their perspectives, managers can identify those who demonstrate leadership qualities and strategic thinking, allowing for better talent development.
• Strengthen Company Culture: By fostering a culture of open communication, trust, and transparency, skip level meetings contribute to a positive work environment.

Templates

Skip Level Meeting Template - Structured

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Upper management explains the purpose of the meeting and sets a supportive atmosphere

Overview of Known Issues (10 minutes)

• Upper management presents a brief overview of the identified concerns or issues

Employee Feedback (30 minutes)

• Employees share their perspectives, experiences, and suggestions related to the issues
• Time allocation can vary depending on the number of participants

Discussion and Problem Solving (10 minutes)

• Upper management and employees collaboratively discuss potential solutions and next steps

Wrap-up and Next Steps (5 minutes)

• Summarize key takeaways and outline follow-up actions

Skip Level Meeting Template - Open Forum

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Upper management welcomes participants
• Introductions and icebreaker activity (if necessary)
• Explanation of the meeting's purpose and encouragement of open communication

Roundtable Discussions (45 minutes)

• Agenda items/topics submitted by participants in advance (optional)
• Each participant shares their ideas, concerns, or feedback on any topic.

Allocate a specific time for each participant (e.g., 5 minutes) to ensure equal participation

• Encourage active listening and mutual respect among attendees
• Upper management listens, asks clarifying questions, and provides guidance
• Note down key points, suggestions, and action items

Wrap-up and Next Steps (10 minutes)

• Summarize the key takeaways from the roundtable discussions
• Identify common themes, issues, or areas for improvement
• Outline follow-up actions, including any necessary communication to relevant stakeholders
• Thank participants for their input and emphasize the value of their contributions
• Schedule any necessary follow-up meetings or provide information on next steps

Skip Level Meeting Template - Themed

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

• Upper management welcomes participants
• Introductions and icebreaker activity (if necessary)
• Explanation of the meeting's purpose and introduction of the theme

Theme Presentation (5 minutes)

• Upper management provides context and highlights the relevance of the theme to the organization
• Share examples, data, or case studies to illustrate the importance of the theme

Employee Input (25 minutes)

Breakout sessions or roundtable discussions for employees to share their ideas, experiences, and suggestions related to the theme

• Allocate a specific time for each participant (e.g., 5 minutes) to ensure equal participation
• Encourage active listening and mutual respect among attendees

Facilitate brainstorming or problem-solving activities, if applicable

• Upper management actively listens, asks clarifying questions, and provides guidance

Group Discussion (5 minutes)

• Reconvene as a larger group and summarize key points from the breakout sessions or roundtable discussions
• Encourage participants to share any additional thoughts or ideas

Wrap-up and Next Steps (5 minutes)

• Summarize the key takeaways and outcomes from the meeting
• Identify areas for further exploration or improvement
• Outline follow-up actions, including any necessary communication to relevant stakeholders
• Thank participants for their input and emphasize the value of their contributions
• Schedule any necessary follow-up meetings or provide information on next steps

Skip Level Meeting Questions

• What challenges are you currently facing in your role or department?

• Can you share a recent success story or learning experience from your team?

• What do you think are the key factors affecting our organization's performance?

• How can we improve communication and collaboration between teams and departments?

• Are there any processes or tools that could be improved or streamlined to increase efficiency?

• How do you feel about the company culture, and what aspects do you think could be enhanced?

• What opportunities do you see for innovation or growth within your area of expertise?

• How can upper management better support your team or department in achieving its objectives?

• Are there any resources or training that you feel would help you excel in your role?

• What are your thoughts on our organization's strategy, and how well do you think it aligns with your day-to-day work?

Summaries, Action Items

Most importantly, a great skip-level meeting has a helpful summary notes that attendees can revisit, or employees who couldn't be there can review.

Taking the all-hands meeting in SoWork? You'll use SoWork's AI meeting assistant to take notes and summaries for you automatically, and share them with your team for you.

How to Use the All-Hands Meeting Template in SoWork

• Create a free office here
• Follow the steps to invite your team
• Walk up to each other to connect to a meeting
• Enable the AI-meeting assistant to take notes and summarize your all-hands
• Follow your ready-to-use template from this page

That's it! The template will ensure you have a successful skip level meeting. And SoWork's AI meeting assistant will do all the work for you to document and share that great staff meeting.